Six day trip to Laos - day 3
After a good night's sleep and another welcome shower in Villa Luang Sokxay http://villaluangsokxay.com/ ;
Breakfast in a different restaurant opposite. Eggs and bacon etc., OK.
Luang Prabang, or Louangphrabang, is a city located in north central Laos, at the confluence of the Nam Khan river and Mekong River about 300 km north of Vientiane.
Villa Luang Sokxay is on the cul-de sac at the end of Th Chao Sisuphon next to the T of Th Phommatha. There is a Wat nearby.
It's a nice day, quite hot (I was expecting it to be cool here).
A walk along the river, then a left brings us to Th Sisavangvong, the 'tourist street' - hotels, restaurants, shops and tour organisers. We shoot through this, straight to the Royal Palace Museum. The last Kings and Queens lived here, up to 1975 when the communists took over. Lots of interesting Royal stuff and pictures. Not allowed to take photos though. So here are the fish in the pond outside.
After a quick look at the Temple and Royal Theatre in the Palace grounds, we attack the 328 steps up Mount Phousi (pronounced pussy)
After a good night's sleep and another welcome shower in Villa Luang Sokxay http://villaluangsokxay.com/ ;
Breakfast in a different restaurant opposite. Eggs and bacon etc., OK.
Luang Prabang, or Louangphrabang, is a city located in north central Laos, at the confluence of the Nam Khan river and Mekong River about 300 km north of Vientiane.
Villa Luang Sokxay is on the cul-de sac at the end of Th Chao Sisuphon next to the T of Th Phommatha. There is a Wat nearby.
It's a nice day, quite hot (I was expecting it to be cool here).
A walk along the river, then a left brings us to Th Sisavangvong, the 'tourist street' - hotels, restaurants, shops and tour organisers. We shoot through this, straight to the Royal Palace Museum. The last Kings and Queens lived here, up to 1975 when the communists took over. Lots of interesting Royal stuff and pictures. Not allowed to take photos though. So here are the fish in the pond outside.
We pass a two year old determinedly climbing the steps unaided
Nearly half way up, a chance to rest
The two year old passes us
We catch him again half way up the last 190 steps. The views from the top are well worth the climb.
The Wat at the top needs a wash
Half way back down a different way, there is an entrancing garden of Buddhas
Down to the bottom and a short walk takes us to the edge of the Mekong, and lunch. Overlooking the river, I enjoy chicken noodle soup followed by a cold ovaltine. I'm in heaven.
Next, three more Wats, including the glorious Wat Xieng Thong. Wat Xieng Thong is one of the most important of Lao monasteries and remains a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty and traditional art. There are over twenty structures on the grounds including a sim, shrines, pavilions and residences, in addition to its gardens of various flowers, ornamental shrubs and trees.
The ordination hall (In Thai – uposatha, in Lao – sim) is always the most important structure in any Theravada Buddhist temple. The sim of Wat Xieng Thong is one of the most richly ornate in Laos.
Now another walk along the river, charming and delightful in the early evening twilight. A stop for photos where the two rivers meet.
It is time to eat. A restaurant in the 'tourist street'. Spaghetti Carbonara. It's OK.
Then on to the night market. It is big, taking over the long length of a wide street, two aisles of multi-coloured gazebos filled with local products covering every square inch available. Well lit with traditionally dressed ladies and children in attendance, it is a sea of colour and bustle. Shopping is not my thing, but this is a pleasurable place to stroll through.
Lastly, a piece of mango cake and coffee in the nearby Hmong market. Very nice too.
A fifteen minute walk back to the Villa, I'm ready to sleep. Goodnight all.
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