Transport
We took the bus from Vang Vieng. It was a mini bus costing 100,000 LKP each. It was by far the bumpiest ride we've taken thus far on our trip, but was surprisingly only 4 hours opposed to the 7 we had been told it could take.
This was the cheapest option in Luang Prabang. Its listing on booking.com does it no favours and the trip advisor only has 2 albeit very good reviews. Our room was 60,000 a night and we shared a bathroom. The room was small but perfect with a great working fan.
On our first day we just wandered the streets for a bit to get a feel for the place, we had dinner in the night market and a few beers at a nice bar called Opera House (Happy Hour = 3 for 40,000).
On our second day we explored the town fully, walking along the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers & around town and around a small selection of the 33 temples in this small town! We firstly headed to the most famous Wat Xieng Thong; a beautiful temple with magnificent mosaic, one of the few built by a king. Famous for being the location for the coronation of Laos kings and housing one of the most important monasteries in Laos it has interesting examples of Buddhist art and architecture and is well worth a visit (20,000 fee). We went to a few smaller temples too, one containing a meditation exhibition (part of the buddhist heritage project).
Following this we went to the Palace Museum and Haw Pha Bang (home to the Phra Bang buddha statue). It was an interesting museum containig lots of info regarding the royal family
At 5.30 we climbed the 355 steps up Mount Phousi for sunset, at the top is a small temple; Wat Chom Si. The views are beautiful you can see all of the towns encircling mountains and panoramic views of Luang Prabang as it is over 150 metres above the town.
3rd day
We managed to get a Tuk Tuk to Kouang Si waterfall for 30 each. The Tuk Tuk agreed to wait 3 hours for us while we explored the place before returning. We were pleasantly surprised to see a bear sanctuary in the grounds of the waterfall which was a great little project, included in the entry to the waterfall. They rely on donations so we bought ourselves some t-shirts while there to show our support!
we moved onto the waterfall which really is as stunning as everyone tells you. The turquoise blue water in all of the naturally formed pools as well as the big waterfall too. We had a dip at the top (despite the no swimming signs) and then again back at the bottom. It was a lovely place to visit and we were pleased to have gone. Laos really is the land of the waterfalls and this one really is the icing on the cake!
On our return to town we went to one of the many sandwich stalls for lunch. I had a yummy fruit platter while Gary chomped on an omelette and avocado sandwich. These stalls are a great budget friendly meal. Following on with our budget dinner at the veggie buffet which is down the side street of the night market. You can get a bowl for 15,000 and fill it with as much food as you can fit in! Be warned though the food is mostly cold, you can ask for it to be reheated, but they do literally just put it all in a wok together so your then unable to differentiate between any of the dishes you put into your bowl.
Later with another English couple we had met, we headed to utopia bar which is a famous hangout place. The drinks aren't particularly cheap but the owner does like to party and he gave everyone free drinks! Needless to say we got a little tipsy and upon closing time didn't feel we were done yet so headed to the infamous bowling alley which stays open till 2 and you can buy beer, cheap bottles of local spirits and bowl! We purchased a bottle of vodka and mixer between the 4 of us and it certainly kept us entertained! Although sadly the alcohol did nothing to improve my bowling skills!
4th day
With a raging hangover from the night before we woke late and had brunch at Dellilah's round the corner. We then meandered the town went to the local market before heading back for a well deserved nap! we then treated ourselves to a very nice dinner at tamarind which is an amazing restaurant cooking traditional Laos food and the perfect way to end our time in Laos!
Then it was up early the next morning to catch our minivan to Borkeo (huay Xai boarder crossing).
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| Mosaic mini stupa at Wat Xieng Thong Temple |
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| Inside the Temple |
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| Sunset from Phousi Hill |
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| The Sun Bears at the Bear Sanctuary |
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| Having a Nap |
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| The turquoise water of Kouang Si Waterfall |
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| Kouang Si Waterfall |
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| The largest drop of the waterfall with a swimming area on top |
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