Get up early and grab the hostel breakfast of scrambled egg and toast. Get to know the hostel manager David. An Irish lad who has been working there awhile but is a good font of knowledge.
We head into town, a 10 minute walk elongated in the heat and find a laundry lady. We look at other hostels a little closer but weighing up what we have got its just as easy to stay at Khammney. We hire mopeds and start exploring, the idea of mountain bikes a mirage in the heat.
We explore north to south, away from the river and not much to see. Houses break to dusty roads swallowed up by green mountains. We head back and eventually find town and stop for lunch. Spring rolls and noodle soup finished, we jump on the bikes and follow the Khan river, watching local fisherman both with rods and nets trying their luck. We take our time on the bikes as the drivers here have been to the Cambodia school of driving. Craig wants to try some yoga and a popular bar called Utopia apparently has classes. Navigating down a narrow alley we find the picturesque bar by the river. Motorbikes hang up inside the bar and it is decked with cushions, roll mats and wooden seats. We grab a coke and sit by the river. Craig dozes and I watch the local lads fish. We will be back here tomorrow as its the central nightlife hub. Off the beer for a few days and we get back on the bikes. We climb Mount Phousi, grander than it sounds. A temple in the centre 100 metres up. Its a long winding staircase and we are both drenched at the top. The view is worth it(LT). A 360 panorama of Luang Prabang. The town laid out before us and I can see in the distance where we were at Utopia. We head to the oldest temple in town next. Not as impressive but has a large gold bhudda in the central wat. There are various smaller temples and a museum. I have no idea what most of the artifacts are, but recognise similar small offerings that we saw donated to the Kings of Cambodia. Although fun riding around on the bikes, the sun is taking its toll. Walking would be horrendous. At least with the bike you have the movement of air at speed to cool. Dropping the bikes we shower and get ready to head out for dinner and the sunset down the Mekong. We stop for some juice next to the market watching people pass by. We are starting to notice people from Vang Vieng. As the central hub the flow is either south to Vientiane or North to Luang Prabang. We head to the night market and have a mish mash shoved in a baguette. Assuming it was Vietnamese in style and would be heated. I try the fly ridden mess but its binned.
We wander to the Aussie bar which is the only place at this part of town with people in it. Stay for a few cokes before heading home. Getting up at 5am tomorrow to see the monks receive ams.