Our time in Luang Prabang was at an end. It was time to move on to another city. Vang Vieng is the natural progression from Luang Prabang. We could have continued by boat, but this time we opted for the much faster train.
Laos
The most bombed country on the planet.
The Sunset on Phousi Hill
Said to have been moved from Sri Lanka by the Monkey King Hanuman, Phousi Hill is the highest point in Luang Prabang’s Old Town. Topped by the Wat Chom Si temple, it is a popular attraction for tourists who want to catch views of the sunset over the Mekong River.
Wat Xiengthong, Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is home to dozens of temples, with one on practically every corner. It is easy to spend a day exploring the many temples in the city and still have many left unvisited. We took the time to explore Wat Xiengthong, one of the larger temples in Old Town.
Morning Alms Giving Ceremony
Sai Bat, or Morning Alms, is a traditional ceremony practised in Luang Prabang every morning. Monks will walk down the streets accepting offerings of food from both locals and visitors.
Just Luang Prabang Things
There are a lot of things you do when you travel. I like to write about the many things I’ve done over the years, but often there are some things that won’t fill an article.
The Legend of Tat Kuang Si
According to local legend, Tat Kuang Si was formed when a wise old man dug into the earth and revealed the waters of the Nam Si River. After the water came to Kuang Si, a golden deer made its home under a huge rock that protruded from the falls.
Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre
How does copyright fail a culture? This question anchored one of the most thought-provoking experiences of our time in Luang Prabang, thanks to an exhibition at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC). For anyone traveling through Laos, TAEC is a must-visit.
Wandering and Wat Manorom
After an unsuccessful attempt to visit the UXO center in Luang Prabang, we decided to take a leisurely stroll around the city instead. It’s a small city compared to the sprawling metropolises we were used to in China; but that didn’t mean there wasn’t anything new to discover.
UXO Laos Visitor Center (ish)
My friend had recommended the UXO Laos Visitor Center to me when we were in Thailand. So on our second day in Luang Prabang we set out to pay it a visit. We hoped for an eye-opening look at the most significant challenge facing Laos.
Enjoying Laos BBQ at Seendat
After a day immersed within Luang Prabang’s temples and palaces, our thoughts turned to something more immediate: food. Craving something different to the night market fare, we decided to hunt down something local and unique. We settled on a seemingly small restaurant selling a local style of hotpot.