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We flew from Bangkok to Luang Prabang, a
2 hour flight on a prop plane of Lao Airlines
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Approaching Luang Prabang we could see the
Mekong River winding through the area.
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And beautiful green mountains - a nice change
from the flat terrain of previous stops.
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Luang Prabang Airport
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Tuk-tuks are the main transportation as
buses are not allowed in the downtown area.
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Sada Hotel
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The rooms were spacious with very large
beds with beautiful teak headboards and teak floors and ceilings.
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Nice bath area
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The Royal Temple Wat Xieng Thong. Originally
built of wood in 1560, it was reconstructed in brick and stucco
following a fire in the late 19th century.
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The walls have pictures done in glass imported
from Japan
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They tell the story of the lives of the
Lao people and their king and queen.
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The House of the Funeral Carriage contains
a huge golden carriage with golden urns that hold the ashes
of the last king and queen.
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While we were visiting the temple, young monk novices
came to play their instruments as a call to prayer.
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Phousi Hill in the center of old town. Climbing
328 steps to the top provides a view of Luang Prabang.
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View of the night market from the steps.
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Every night, vendors set up their stalls
down the main street in the old town to sell local handicrafts.
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Fresh smoothies for sale.
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Pop up greeting cards
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Visit to local village to learn about their
paper and textile making traditions.
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Silk production.
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Silk worms eating mulberry leaves
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Rhoda and Shery try their hand at mashing mulberry bark. |
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The mashed mulberry bark is mixed with water
to make a thick paste and put in a frame. Flower petals and
leaves are placed in the frame and dried to make paper.
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The finished product after drying
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Paper products for sale.
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Weavers use the silk threads to produce
beautiful scarves.
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We took a cruise on the Mekong River, one
of the longest rivers in the world.
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The Mekong is home to many species of giant
fish, including 600 pound catfish.
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We stopped along the river to a rural village
known for producing a local rice whiskey.
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We tasted the 100 proof variety and the
15 and 30 proof. The latter tasted like sweet wine.
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The whiskey with giant scorpions marinating
in it is supposed to have medicinal qualities.
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Whiskey with snakes also has medicinal qualities.
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Weavers in the village make beautiful fabrics.
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Babies sleep while mothers work.
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Cheers leads us back to the boat.
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Fixing his fishing net
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A stop at Pak Ou Cave
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The cave contains over 5000 Buddha statues.
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Every year from the 16th century until 1975,
the king and people from Luang Prabang made a pilgrimage to
the caves as part of the new year relligious observance.
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The king commissioned artisans to creat
images of Buddha to place in the cave.
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View of the Mekong from the Cave
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We were served lunch on board the boat while
cruising back down the river to our starting point.
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Cheers gave us a lesson in the Lao alphabet
and language.
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