Lovely Laos

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Hello all. I've arrived in Laos and this is Eden, Nirvana, Disneyland, whatever your vision of 'wow' is. After the craziness of China and a 24 hour bus ride where I now know what it feels like to be popcorn, Luang Prabang is proving to be exactly what I need. The pace of things here is wonderful. just slow but defined. Even though people in China don't always move quickly with a destination, there is so much activity everywhere that you feel like it's incredibly fast-paced and always moving. The population of this place is just over 53,000 and full of Buddhist temples. The monks here are everywhere and when I spot a saffron-colored robe, it just seems surreal. I participated in alms, donations to the monks, one morning. It all begins around 5:30 am and the monks come from their temples and locals give them rice as offerings, I gave money since I have no place to cook rice. I was told that was okay. All of them were in their bare feet and no one is supposed to talk so it was eerily quiet. All you would hear was occasional vehicle motors and their feet on the concrete. It was pouring rain but I didn't care, it was a sight!

Spent today up at this huge waterfall, nothing really significant to note just beauty in it's purest form. It seems to rain here in the mornings then is beautiful for the rest of the day. That made for climbing up to the waterfall a wee bit treacherous at times but what's wrong with a little mud on your behind? And everywhere else?

I haven't seen many of the temples here so far, I've just been wandering around, soaking up the local atmosphere. Every local is so pleasant, smiling and just so wonderful to be around, I find myself with no desire to move on quickly. Tomorrow I'm heading off to Phonsavan to view the Plain of Jars but plan to come back to Luang Prabang for a few more days or week, not sure.

I've met up with a wonderful Sweedish gal named Michelle, met her on the 24 hour bus ride from hell, nice to have another person to commisurate with. We're heading to Phonsavan then she's moving on to Vientianne since she has less time here, while I'm taking advantage of all Laos has to offer. Yes, lovely Laos...

One last thing, Happy Hallowe'en everyone!

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Photos

Goodbye China...
Border crossing leaving China

Hello Laos
Guess we know which country has more money...

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Local person working in the field

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Monks crossing the river

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Monk laundry drying...

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Colorful umbrellas at the night market

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Night market marianettes

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The tents at the night market

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Morning alms

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More morning alms

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An elephant we passed on the way to the waterfall

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That's about as close as I felt the need to get to the raging water pounding down behind me.

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That's Michelle standing under a pointsettia tree, not plant but tree and full of red leaves. I can't get a plant like this to stay alive in controlled conditions, this is just growing wild.

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Look at the size of the leaves on that thing!

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As I said, I just can't get enough of the monks.

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Sunset in Luang Prabang

Comments

[Linda Knaus]

Absolutely beautiful !! Looks like this was a fantastic pick for a destination ! And, happy halloween back atcha !!

[MICHELLE]

HELLO
GREAT TO HEAR YOU ARE SOME WHERE MORE RELAXING....AND WONDERFUL THAT YOU MET UP WITH SOMEONE TO HANG OUT WITH FOR ABIT ( GREAT HER NAME IS MICHELLE ) HAHA WELL AGAIN IT IS NICE TO SEE PICTURES OF YOU CAUSE I MISS YA SO MUCH...CALL ME XOXO

[Renee Reilly]

Oh Cheryl! What an awesome place Laos looks to be. I have to admit I have been following your blogs intently, and enjoying them so much. Dave and I had the perfect weather on the wedding day so we were able to have our dream outdoor wedding. At this point we have been back from Thailand for a week and a half. And well you know how it goes. It feels like we were there a lifetime ago. When we were in Phuket the Chinese were vacationing there and I only got a small glimpse of how crazy it must have been in China. You are a trooper!!!! Phuket was awesome! We basically travelled most of the island for the first week and saw as much as we needed to and then the second week we island hopped. From busy Phi Phi to some beautiful island with a private resort of only 40 thatched roof villas overlooking the sea, we were definately enjoying the adventure, along with the wonderful luxury Asia can provide. It was great for a honeymoon. It looks like all is well with you. Laos looks extraordinary, I look forward to hearing from you and wherever your next journey takes you! Enjoy every moment and eat up the energy of the cute monks!!! Love Renee

[karen]

amazing pics
Cheryl - as always - glad to get your update - to know where you are and that you are ok - and those pictures are AMAZING!!!! It sounds like your quite taken with your newest spot - and who could blame you - it looks so beautiful. If it is as serene as you claim - who could blame you for staying there as long as you possibly can. It is also nice to see pics with you in them - you know how much grief we all give you about that. But you are looking happy and healthy - enjoy your travels!!! Looking forward to the next update :)

[Willy Mitch]

Nat. Geo. Called
Girly.... More great photos just keep coming! Love them! I'm glad you met up with someone (even if it had to be a girl - but a blonde Swedish girl!). Ha! Thanks for jumping into a photo or two as well. I know you're there now but it's still nice to see you. You look great. She looks like she would be fun. A poinsettia tree? Never heard of it. Sheltered Canuck I guess.... Good choice not to go into the waterfall. I thought it would be great! Refreshing and all that. It was more like getting hit in the head with a perpetual hammer. Not to mention when a rock came loose up there and came down. How do you spell coma anyhow? Surprised that the monks do the alms thing everyday. I thought they would be self sufficient. Canuck again... Very windy here the last few days. Thought I felt the building shake a few times! Kinda weird when your 16 floors up. My hand is healed and it's off the couch and back to hockey, gym, water, golf.....you get the idea. Sitting around was unpleasant to say the least. Travel Safe.... Alohas