Finally got to Luang Prabang after what can only be described as the bus ride from hell. I first got the mini bus from Pai to the Laos border arriving at 5am (about a 8 hour minibus ride). My original plan was to catch the slow boat at 9am for two days down to Luang Prabang, but I got convinced that exchanging my ticket for a straight through bus would get me there in about 12 hours. What afatl mistake. After 5 mudslides, a few fallen trees, two abandoned vehicles, and a final oil leakage breakdown, and an unscheduled 7 hour stopover in the middle of nowhere we arrived 30 hours later! I heard the bus journeys were bad in Laos but this was my first one!

Anyway Luang Prabang is a cool enough little town. There's an enforced 11pm curfew which means that it's not really a late night place. If you want an after hours beer you have to go slightly out of town and hit 10 pin bowling alley. And that's exactly what everyone does.

I stayed only a couple of days here, but in retrospect I probably would have added a couple days more. There's plenty to d in terms of trekking etc. but as I'd just done some in Pai I gave it a miss. During the couple of days I was there I took in the Phu Si temple which has a great view of the town, the Royal palace museum. The night market is also pleasant enough for a stroll round and a good feed. Oh and I also increased my average bowling score by 35 points by the end of it!