Blogs from Luang Prabang, West, Laos, Asia - page 159

Luang Prabang has stolen my heart. It has to be my favorite place of all so far. Everything just seems to fit. The people, the surroundings, the atmosphere, the attitude. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site, nestled in the mountains, next to the Mekong River. I can't describe how beautiful it is here... just picture Lunenburg -- those same sort of heritage homes -- except next to a chocolate milk colored babbling river instead of the Atlantic Ocean. Oh, and the streets are lined with palm trees and fruit vendors. And there are gorgeous green mountains in every direction. There are only a few main streets... mostly filled with Guest Houses and restaurants. There are 32 wats here... (temples) and monks dressed in their bright orange outfits walking around everywhere. It's so serene. Fairytale-like. And the ... read more

I book out of Sok Dee guesthouse. The manager is apologetic again about my clothes and gives me a free ride to the station. I've missed the bus and book into the guesthouse across the road. I have a delcious steak and eggs breakfast and I finally rent a bike and spend the whole day taking in Luang Prabang sights and surrounds. Across wodden bridges I eat from stalls on the side of the road. One woman sells me a hot tasty pastery that is shaped like a banana with, surprise, - a banana inside. Before night falls I see Wat Xieng thong - the most famous temple in Luan Prabang.... I buy some clothes in the night market which tear the next day...An old woman sells myself and some Japs a cocunut and egg pastery ... read more

The exchange rate of KIP to Euro in shops is about 12,000. You can become a millionaire for an outlay 100Euro. I buy 50 Euros worth of KIP and get 625,000KIP; a wad of notes and an elastic band to keep it all together...The mind boggles at the prospect of this soon happening to the US dollar...... Magic Keynesian solution: If the economy is slugish and the world ain't turning, the people ain't buyin' and sellin' then just print some more money... I see King Sisavang vatanna's palace (son of King Sisavangvong) who got kicked out by the commies in 1975. Back at the monastery, I work through a book on Earth sciences with Link while Sampun says he's tired and asks can he play with my ipod. I let him and then he plays the ... read more

They caught me for a 500 BAHT "exit fee" before I left. I have left Chiang Mai. We are on a Thai airways flight bound for Lunag Prabang in northern Laos. There's just a handful of people on board all western tourists. On arrival you have to obtain a visa. It costs 30USD for the privilige of visiting the country for 15 days. I take a taxi with a Canadian and English couple and get dropped off on Th Lim Khong near the Mekong River bank. I'm outside Bougnasouk guesthouse and chat to a few backpackers (Michele) and see some guesthouses. I finally setttle on Sok Dee guesthouse. 6 USD a night with TV, fan and bathroom. A pile of shoes mark the entrance and dutifullly remove mnie before I see the spotless room. Wat Pu ... read more

Leaving the Western level imfrastructure of Thailand behind, my journeys started getting more exciting. Firstly, a two day slow boat got me into Laos and I docked in its main city Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang is a UNESCO world heritage site with a stunning array of features both man-made and natural. I went cliff diving into the pool at the top of a many tiered waterfall, and hired a very funky “Grandma” bicycle in order the explore the incredible array of Laotian temples dotted around the city. Leaving Luang Prabang I had my first taste of the native long-distance transport as a Songathaew (pickup truck with two benches running along the flat bed, containing all manor of fruit, vegetables, rice sacks and live animals as travelling companions) and finally a river boat took me north to the ... read more