Arrived at Luang Prabang for a three day stay at Thongbay Guesthouse with its central garden surrounded by bungalows and overlooking the Nam Khan River (a tributary of the Mekong).
For our evening meal we visited a 'posh' Lao restaurant. But they didn't run to chairs! We had to sit on the floor, which for those of us (all) not useded to it, it was very uncomfortable after a while. By the end of the evening we were all fidgeting about to find a comfortable position.
Group in Loa Restaurant
Monks collecting food
Luang Prabang has many temples. Early each morning the monks parade though the main street collecting gifts of food, which the tourists have bought from local vendors. The senior monks at the front get given the tastier snacks, by the time the young boys arrive all that is left is sticky rice. Perhaps they share it out more equitably back at the temple.
After breakfast we visited the National Museum, housed in the former Royal Palace, built between 1904 and 1909 to a French designs for King Sisavangvong.
Royal Palace
Monkey Boy
In the grounds of the Palace is a theatre where cultural performances are held. The 'Monkey Boy' was handing out leaflets for a Lao Ballet
The remainder of the morning was spent walking to and exploring Wat Xieng Thong with its 'Tree of Life' mozaic.
Work was also being carried out building paper-covered bamboo boats for floating on the river as part of a festival.
Skeleton of light festival boat
Wat Xieng Thong
Light festival boat
Tree of life at Wat Xieng Thong
Gateway at Wat Xieng Thong
Glass Mosaic at Wat Xieng Thong - detail
Street
For lunch we found a restaurant on a first floor balcony over-looking the street.
Spinning silk
Weaver
Julie buying bracelet from girl
Laos ballet performers
The evening was taken up with an hours visit to the Lao Ballet and the extensive, well stocked 'Night Market'.
Night market
Saturday 15 October
For our second full day at Luang Prabang made a visit to the Kuang Xi Waterfalls. There were two options for getting there; an hours drive into the hills in a tuk tuk (with occasional walk when the tuk tuk was not powerful enough to carry us up the hill) and then two and a half hour trek through the hills; or a drive straight to the Falls. We, of course, chose the first.
