Two Sore Backs

We had hoped to take the new modern train from Vientiane to Luang Prabang but it wasn’t to be. The train was sold out. So we flew. Roads are not wonderful in Laos and the bus trip is 6ish hours (train 2 hrs; air 1 hr).

We land and catch a tuk tuk to our hotel. It is a fun ride; hold on though.

Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the center of Buddhism in the region.

This place is a real tourist hub especially on weekends (Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese fly in). Tourists come for the Alms Offering Ceremony at 5am when monks take offerings on the Main Street. Despite our time zone confusion we don’t get up early enough to witness this sidewalk spectacle. We rise in time for the sunrise at Phousi Hill. (The second most popular experience.) This is the highest point in town with a Buddhist temple at the top.

Walking around we notice that Luang Prabang has more Wats (pagodas) than anywhere in the world (imo).

These photos are from our visit to Wat Xiengthong. The wats are compounds with multiple pagodas and temples.

Along Main Street we pass by Wat Sensoukharam

Street scenes

Food and Beverage

The Mekong River

We take one road trip to the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfall nearby.

This is our hotel for four nights. And a note about all hotels – they are full service – you can book tours and transportation. We would be so lost without their expertise.