Luang Prabang continued to be beautiful and we ended up staying four nights in total. The first day we slept late and by the time we had eaten brunch (noodle soup) it had decided to rain so hard that leaving the hotel room just wasnt an option. The afternoon was spent wandering around and looking at all the beautiful wat's (temples) but not going in since we were still feeling poor from losing my purse. Plus all the wats in thailand are free so it was a little bit of common sense! We went to the night food market for dinner every night we were in LP eating a plate piled high with veggie noodle dishes for 10,000 kip (1 pound) and then adding BBQ meat on a couple of days. Since we wont be home for the BBQ season we reasoned that it was only fair!
We also went to a free 'fashion' show - about 20 people who display all the traditional clothing of the 10 or so tribes in Laos. Pretty interesting to see but these girls were definately not trained in any way, shape or form making the experience ever so uncomfortable. We moved from that bar to a place called Utopia and my my it was! Overlooking the river on a bamboo veranda, cold beer, foosball, darts, volleyball, music. Bliss! LP has an 11.30 curfew though so we were nicely tucked up in bed not too late. The next morning we took a tuk tuk with two other couples we had met on the bus from Vang Vien and went to a waterfall 'complex'. A series of naturally formed pools with waterfalls leading from one to the next. Beautiful! At the beginning there is a bear conservation center and we arrived conveniently just before feeding time so sat and watched the bears search for their food which was fascinating. We went to look at all the pools and then started the treasure hunt to the top waterfall. We had been told that there was a staircase with the third step broken which we should take and then leave about 5 steps before the top. We found this and found ourselves walking through a waterfall, which was slightly perilous, but it was worth it. The top had a massive pool which was essentially a naturally formed infinity pool. And there were not many people there as few made the journey. It was like being in a miniture version of The Beach!
The next day was dedicated to getting a massage. The towns across Asia are dedicated to getting massages and LP is no exception. We managed to find one which was run by the Lao Red Cross which meant that the surroundings were a little less swish (eyes are closed anyway) but the profit goes to the red cross so we felt even better about it. Plus it was heavenly. In the morning we had been to a place called OckPopTok, meaning East meets west. A sustainable shop which produces weaving products and runs free tours of their weaving studio. Did you know they have to kill the silk worm to get the silk? And it is possible to make Silk Worm Poo Tea???!!!!!
The last day in LP, before the worst bus journey EVER, was spent doing nothing. Drinking fruit shakes and trying to spend as little as possible. It was such a beautiful location and had an island vibe it was so chilled out and didnt feel at all crowded with people. Laos is our favourite Asian country so far. Nice people, good fun, beautiful scenery.
I wish I could speak more highly of the bus to Thailand though! An overnighter on a sitting bus. I was over the wheel arch with the chair infront reclined instantly. The roof window was open meaning that even in long shorts, t-shirt, cardigan and stolen airplane blanket I was freezing, the driver played music loudly ALL night and the roads were not sealed! The crossing into Thailand was more fun though. Exit Laos passport on one side of the river and get a boat across into Thailand on the other! A 5 1/2 hour minivan journey on the other side on voila another 20+ hour journey across Asia. Oh the glamourous side of travelling!