Again ignore the location set for this I am now writing up about Luang Prabang, Laos....

The 'vip night bus' we had booked for (175,000 kip I think it was), wasn't actually a night bus like the lie down beds we had experienced in Vietnam, but was simply a coach with some fluffy blankets. Thankfully we were right at the front behind the driver so had more space and it helps with preventing feeling travel sick. The journey was very bumpy and windy and Lauren unluckily even had a local Laos guy throwing up in a big right next to her head sat in the aisle-way.

We got to Luang Prabang around 5am and got on a tuk tuk with 3 other couples who also needed to head to the main strip in search of somewhere to stay. As we were driven in we saw all the locals up and out on the side of the street placing food and flowers as the young monks began walking down the streets (some sort of preparation for the last day of Buddhist lent we thought). We wondered around in hope of finding a hostel to let us in, as it is common for places to not let you check in until 11am which meant we would have had to have stayed up. We found a place called Thanaboun Guest House and he kindly let us in despite is being 5.50am to check in for that day and night. It was 50,000 kip and was on the Main Street, had a private room (these are much more common than dorms in Laos) with air con, wifi and towels provided. The only downside was no breakfast included and you had to pay to use the computers in the lobby which is where I managed to do a couple of blog write-ups but it wouldn't let you upload photos (hence why I'm still behind with that but I will catch up eventually!)

We had a few hours sleep before getting up and going for a wonder around the centre, noticing all the beautiful boats that had been built and that we're still being worked on ready for the end of Buddhist lent. As we were still aching from the weekend, we thought it would be a good idea to go and get an hour long oil massage at a little place we'd found did them for 50,000 kip each. I really enjoyed the massage, but was glad Lauren's lady started 5 minutes before mine because I was alarmed to hear her being punched/slapped and so at least was able to wait in anticipation to expect mine to do the same (which she did, and instead of screaming like I probably would have if
I had not have expected it I held my breath instead). I've never had a massage so hard before and although it hurt slightly at points, I felt great after.

We then went onto have lunch at a little place called Delilah's and both ordered a Laos green curry with chicken, stated on the menu to be the best in town. Well we were both massively impressed when it came out and tasted amazing, full of flavour and really aromatic. We'd had one beer (Laos beer bottles are huge and quite strong) and we both felt a bit tipsy. We walked around some more and then went and sat at a little restaurant overlooking the Mekong river, had another beer and watched the sunset. It turns out we had got the date wrong for when they out all the boats on the river, which was instead due to be tomorrow, however still headed down to the temple. People were gathered in a yard full of lanterns which young monks were continually re-lighting and there were a few dragons and lotus flowers also all lit-up. It was really pretty and with the Asian music on in the background which was playing constantly off speakers as you walked down the street (this was all day everyday) set the atmosphere of the real Laos culture.
The night market was also on which the main road was closed off for and it went down the whole street. It was one of the best markets I've ever been to, full of crafts, home furnishings, clothes, food and Jewllery. It was so colourful and I was annoyed there were so many things I'd have wanted to get as gifts for family and friends, but with zero bag space it's not possible travelling around. We ended up going to bed early despite having an invite from Kelly to go out (who we'd met back the night before we went on the gibbon experience). It was nice to chill out and watch the weird dramatic Asian music videos before passing out in bed.

xxx