A common street in Luang Prabang
Laos
Since the entire city made Unesco’s World Heritage List, we were expecting Luang Prabang (aka Louangphrabang) to something pretty cool, and we were not disappointed. With a gorgeous mountainous backdrop, the mixture of French colonial architecture and Buddhist temples was magical. Hmm, that probably sounds a bit dorky, but it was lovely. Really lovely.
View of the surrounding landscape from Phu Si hill
With a total population in Laos of 5.6 million & 103,000 in L.P. alone, Luang Prabang is not exactly crowded. It was that small town feel with the beautiful location and friendly people that made us want to stay and just relax here.
After arriving into Luang Prabang earlier that afternoon, we were a little shell-shocked from the journey, but were keen to get into it. We quickly found a hotel, settled in and took a well deserved nap before heading back out with Will & Hanna.
During the day, the main street was open to traffic, but each night the markets took over. Run by the local Hmong hill tribe, it was full of arts & crafts and lots of yummy things to eat, we were happy to have a walk through.
This fruit stand made the BEST coffee shakes & Lao sandwiches. We had them everyday!
Relaxing in L.P.
We felt it was the perfect place to just laze around a bit and enjoy. Nothing is in a rush here, so it seems like the right course of action. Do nothing.
Every morning was begun at Jo Ma Bakery. They had the best bagel sandwiches and cappuccinos! We knew that it didn’t seem very Laotian, but who cares?! They were the best bagels since NY and best “proper” coffee since Sydney! I think I could live here…
Monks seem to make up a significant percentage of the population here
A sneaky little alleyway leading down to the riverside
A colourful tuk tuk
The wats in town were more elaborately decorated than normal in preparation for the upcoming celebrations for the end of Buddhist Lent.
Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham
Some monks working on their boat for the celebrations
Nao’s Place - A Lonely Planet let down. We searched it out as it came highly recommended for happy hour beers. We did arrive a little before happy hour, so we knew that the first round would be regular price. They, however, argued that since we arrived before Happy Hour had started, they would be charging us full price for all our drinks. This is Kyle’s unimpressed face. We left and didn’t go back.
Out at Martin’s Place for free shots of Whisky Lao (“Lao Lao”). The winner of this game had the least reaction. Kyle didn’t do badly, but Will was the clear winner.
Kuang Si Waterfall
Determined to actually do something, we decided to hop a tuk tuk to once of the many local waterfalls on a day trip. While we were keen to just rent a couple of motorbikes, we confirmed that it was illegal to rent motorbikes to foreigners. Tuk tuks have a little monopoly so it’s a bit more challenging to bargain down to a good price.
It was a bumpy & dusty 30 km ride!
One of the tiny “suburbs” that we passed through
If there is a sight to see, there are always stalls waiting to sell you stuff on the way in or out.
Hmm, what are the chances of keeping our shoes dry? Better question, what are the chances that we’re gonna slip & fall and get swept down the waterfall?
Success
One of many pools
Kuang Si falls are a series of naturally formed travertine pools (the same material that forms stalactites and stalagmites in caves). You can swim in all but a couple pools
A gorgeous (and abandoned looking) tree house in the park
No shit. It looks like a perfect good place to go for a paddle.
And the BIG waterfall at the end
Trying to hike to the top of the waterfall in thongs.
Kyle jumping out of a tree
Will giving it a go
Bears
Near the entrance, there was a bear sanctuary that rescued injured animals or babies abandoned by their mothers.
“This place is heaps better than the wild. We don’t even have to hunt for food! Gives us lots of time to play on the jungle gym and lounge around in hammocks.”
Pretty butterfly that I spent ages trying to get a decent photo of.
Phu Si
The long climb up
The stupa at the top – That Chomsi
And the best part… the views from the top!
A photographer at work
Spying on the children in school
Around the backside of the hill are the remains of Wat Pha Phutthabaht - most famously known for Buddha’s footprint.
Buddha's Foot
I knew they meant to say Buddha’s Foot, but I preferred "Buddha’s Foof". I knew I liked Buddha. He had a little Foof too!
Exploring around town again
Hannah, Will, Nemo & Kyle enjoying the views
We met Nemo on our waterfall trip earlier that day. She’s a very nice Korean girl adopted into Dutch family. (Odd. That’s the second Korean-Dutch connection we’ve had during the trip…) We even managed to run into her again later in the trip.
Night market
After our hike & wander back through the streets, we decided it was a night for some local cuisine again.
The night food stalls is the place to go for fresh & cheap local cuisine. It was so good!
One of our favorite scenes… a whole hog’s head.
A food stall dinner would not have been complete without another go at Lao Lao. And a couple Beerlao to wash it down. 
My accidentally stylized version of the stupa on top of Phi Si. I thought it looked like a fairy castle out of a Disney movie. It looked clear at the time... must've been the Lao Lao.
