Luang Prabang is the cultural capital of Laos (I think). Its a world heritage site due it seem to the enormous number of wats surrounding the city/town. We only visited a few, but certainly most that we passed were gorgeously resplendant in gold leafed eaves, shining mosaic tiles and beautiful painted entrances and walls. Some however are more decrepit and our trip across the Mekong river from the town took us to a cave in the hillside where they keep the buddha images that have been damaged. Not sure if its touching or a little macabre that these headless, limbless or generally eroded statues are sitting silently in the dark there. Probably a bit of both. We rounded off our cultural experience by partaking in a Laos massage - a bit like extreme reflexology all over! Being hit, pummelled, and occasionally stroked turned out to be quite relaxing - eventually, and then they brought out a local speciality of steaming cloth balls filled with local herbs like lemongrass, and probably ginger since that seems to crop up in everything in large potato like slices. Smelled lovely, and was hot and soothing - just what we needed in cold and damp Luang Prabang.