After finishing the Gibbon Experience, it was time to move out of the border town of Huay Xai and on to the cultural capital of Laos, Luang Prabang. The only question we had to answer was how we wanted to get there. Two options laid in front of us: 17 hour nonstop bus ride or pleasant 2 day Mekong river cruise. Needless to say we chose the latter.
The cruise was by no means a luxury affair. The boat is fitted with seats for 75 and they stuffed us like sardines until we were well over a hundred. People and their baggage we strewn everywhere! And to top it all off, the engine compartment wasn't insulated at all so the ear splitting drone of the huge diesel engin was a constant companion.
A few of our boat mates as we made or way down the Mekong.
Despite the few drawbacks of the boat it really was quite an enjoyable experience. The scenery was pretty amazing as we wound our way through lazy valleys, huge karst mountains, and some exciting rapids. Our time was split pretty evenly between soaking up all those views, chatting with newfound friends, and playing the game Risk on the iPhone!
One of our Aussie buddies, Luke, taking in the views on the Mekong.
One of the many awesome karst mountains that dot the shores of the Mekong.
At 5:30, after a long second day on the boat, we pulled into the boat ramp at Luang Prabang. We made our way through the clamoring packs of tuk tuk drivers and guest house hawkers and into a lovely city full of wats, markets, quaint eateries, and small secluded side streets ripe for exploring.
As much as we enjoyed the city of Luang Prabang and all of its offerings, the true highlight of our stay here came from a 32km motorbike ride to the Kuang Si waterfall. While it was perhaps not the tallest waterfall we have ever seen it was definitely the most spectacularly dynamic one in our books. For starters, the water is a milky turquoise blue. It is milky because of high concentration of calcium in the water that is picked up from the limestone mountains from where it descends. The excess calcium creates pool after pool of this stunning water, each connected by a waterfall.
The lower pools at Kuang Si falls.
A full view of the Kuang Si waterfall.
The upper portion of the multi tiered Kuang Si waterfalls.
Shaina above the Kuang Si falls in a meadow full of purple flowers.
Another very neat thing about Luang Prabang is the daily Buddhist monk procession of alms that takes place at dawn. At 6:00 sharp the monks bang their gongs to announce the arrival of the new day, and then they head into the streets to collect offerings from the locals. The most common offering is sticky rice, but they also accept bananas, marigold flowers, and of course cash. With these items the monks sustain the faith, take care of the poor, and restore the older wats to their former glory.
Neat wat at the end of the alms procession.
The monks of Luang Prabang on their morning procession.
Two novice monks walking the streets under a parasol.
Luang Prabang was wonderful to us. As far as South East Asia goes it was one of the more expensive places we have been, but I guess there is a price to pay for a location as amazing as this one.
Cheers!
Maxell
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Location:Luang Prabang, Laos
4 comments:
Amazing experiences and amazing photography - well done! No one can read your descriptions and see your photographs without recognizing the personal expansion foreign travel and immersion into cultures brings to one. For now, I'll have to settle for seeing and experiencing everything through your eyes and works; but I can't think of a better person from whom to learn.
Hello my desert friend!
Again, thank you for the compliments!
The most important thing you said in your comment is "for now" you'll live vicariously. That gives me hope that you will make it happen. Go see the world. The world is vast so you'll have to pick and choose, but see the world. When you can, with whom you can, and how can generally take care of themselves once you resolve yourself to just do it.
Cheers!
Maxell
Your whole trip to date is amazing and with all the beautiful pictures and comments I feel I'm almost with you. Thanks for sharing as I know I'll never get there in this lifetime!
So happy, Shaina, that you're pleased with the news of Salt Lake and Denver. Max, Denver will have a little more moisture for your gardening than here at home. Will look forward to more "blog" and mainly your return home. Thanks for your card...what beautiful vegtables at the floating market. Love Grandma
Hey Grandma!
The trip really has been going very very well. We have been hopping from one adventure to the next with only a hiccup or two along the way. South East Asia really is a very easy place for traveling about. Laos is a little more trying but even here things run pretty darn smoothly.
I really like the comments feature on this blog to get all this feedback and conversation! I plan on keeping the blog posts rolling at least once a week until the end of our trip so keep coming back and letting me know what you think! :)
Love
Maxell
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