Luang Prabang, Laos (December 2012)

This is a retro-post from December 2012. It's always nice looking back at some of the adventures in the past. You feel thankful and blessed. 

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I first read about Luang Prabang in Laos in 2011. That article rated Luang Prabang in Laos, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and Bagan in Burma as the 3 ancient, sacred / ancient Buddhist sites in South East Asia. Thailand is not on the list.

I've been to both the latter sites, which leaves Luang Prabang the elusive one out.

I was determined to get there and complete the trilogy. 

So when AirAsia came in with a return ticket offer of RM 140.00, I swoop up a 3D3N trip round ticket. Those were days were I started traveling solo. It was difficult to match everyone's timing. 

I was later joined by my cousin, and my nephew, who had just completed his SPM.

The uncles bringing the nephew to see how other people live.

Having visited all 10 South East Asian countries - Laos has the slowest pace of life, ever (Picture taken on the Arc of Triumph, Vientiane)

A mini-version of the original in Paris

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We departed LCCT (the legendary backpacker airplane-station) on Saturday morning (8.12.12), with basically some clothes and a Lonely Planet guidebook. 

After reaching the capital - Vientiane, the plan was to immediately get ourselves to Luang Prabang. We were left to choose between taking a 10-hour bus ride for around 10 USD, or to take 40 minute domestic flight for 170 USD, return. Due to time constraint, and that money seems secondary (as compared to time), we chose the latter.   

This was way back in 2012 though - Hopefully they digitalized

At least we had boarding passes

Took my first propeller plane in my life - Laos Airlines

It wasn't as scary as it sounds

Reached Luang Prabang, a UNESCO heritage town with this sunset - What a welcome!

The few guesthouses recommended by Lonely Planet were all fully-booked. At last a teenager directed us to some random Guesthouse, which was really affordable.

The food was also good.

 Laotian food was nice - Typical Indo-chinese

Mango rice

And they were under the French for about 60 years (1893 - 1953), ruled from Hanoi, the capital of Indo-china

Luang Prabang is a historical town, founded sometime in the 700 AD. Its architecture and culture has strong traces and influence from Thailand, Khmer and Nanchao (南朝).

Woke up the next day at 5.30am to witness a famous tourist attraction - Alms giving ceremony.

I believe this has become something very touristy (I am interested to know what the monks think)

 Offerings for blessings

 It was an event held on Sundays, and I think it was an important day/occasion

Life was simple

Luang Prabang, being an imperial city for centuries is located along the Mekong River, one of the most important fresh water sources in this region. 

No wonder the seafood

After that, we found ourselves some mountain bikes, and set off for a 40 km ride into the wilderness (which was unplanned for). The target being Kuangsi Waterfall. 

                             One of the few times during my travels that I acted without a plan 

Have I even cycled 4 km in life?

The road into Kuangsi Waterfall was fine at first, but after around 1.5 hours of paddling, we left the town, found ourselves in the middle of no where, while the terrain became quite mountainous and stiff. It was clear that we were not able to achieve the grand target. We stopped by the roadside, and hitched a truck to Kuangsi.

And on the truck, it still took like 30 minutes (We must have looked like idiots)

 Don't be a hero next time, ok?

The journey was worth-while though

There was this waterfall - But looking at it today (year 2020), I think Malaysia's may outshine it anytime

Still, the surrounding was peaceful and serene, maybe due to the cool weather - It was a pleasant and away from the town

Next on the agenda was visiting the numerous temples in Luang Prabang. 

Of dragons and gold

Like always, the enlightened one sits at peace, at ease

The reason why I have stopped carrying DSLR - Most people don't know how to use

Je ne parle pas Francais 

 Once upon a time, Luang Prabang had kings and princes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luang_Prabang) 

 And the glory days most probably disappeared when the French came

I never dared to take street food

Sunset on the Mekong - And you could feel the evening breeze

Bazaar on a Sunday evening

A long day in Luang Prabang deserves some authentic Laotian food 

Spring roles - Just like the ones in Hanoi

Next day, we actually left Luang Prabang for Vientiane on an A320, while the other flight from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai had the propeller (I didn't understood the logic)

Luang Prabang was one of those impromptu trips without much fanfare. There were no parties or nightclubs in town, and everyone sleeps at 10pm. If you ask me if I will visit again, I am not sure. I might as well visit the east-coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

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Reminder: Stay at home during MCO/CB for COVID-19 - Don't be a Kong Kham!