Luang Prabang : a beautiful peaceful town
A scenic long tail boat ride on the Nam Ou from Nong Khiaw brought us to Luang Prabang.
We passed 7 hours admiring the limestone cliffs and village life from kids playing to women washing clothes to fisherman working. We arrived in Luang Prabang just in time to be rewarded by the sunset.
Across : Leaving Nomg Khiew
Below : Fisherman on the Nam Ou and the sunset on arrival.
We had planned to stay 3 nights, but stayed for 5 because we loved the feel of this 700 year old city (former capital of the Kingdom of Laos). Drums from the town's 34 temples beat out he daily rhythm of peoples' live and saffron robe Buddhist monks are never out of sight. We were quickly seduced by the french colonial style houses and Nicolas was glad that the French had left behind baguettes and coffee.
Above : One of Luang Prabang's 34 temples
Although we spent most of our time taking in the atmosphere by walking around town, we still went out to a beautiful waterfall where we coulddn't resist swimming in the crystal blue cold water. The food was also a highlight : we discovered the Luang Prabang specialities at a sampling restaurant and took up a cooking class to find out how to make them. Being in such a peacefull atmosphere, we couldn't help but to indulge in a hot stone massage followed by a herbal steam bath. La vie est dure!
Above : A sampling of '"jeow" (chili pastes), fried seaweed and sticky rice
To avoid the heat, we would walk around the wats(temples) where giant trees would provide shade. We took the time to watch the monks restore their temples, study buddhism and pray to rythmic sounds. We even had the chance to discuss with a few monks who introduced their daily agenda : waking up at 4 am, collecting alms at sunrise (rice and bananas from the locals), breakfeast, studying English and Lao, lunch, studying buddhism or free time, a 4pm gong ceremony to invite locals to meditate/ pray/ give offerings to Buddha and they finish off their day with a 6pm evening chanting.
Above : Monks receiving Alms ( rice and bananas from locals at sunrise)
Luang Prabang is a city that has not lost its' soul despite of tourism. People are laid back and seem to smile off all their problems. We did the same and thus leave this city fully rejuvenated and zenified.