Day 27 - 21/2/18

Exploring Luang Prabang on foot...


7.30am Yoga at Utopia, lovely Hatha class with views of the sunrise over the Nam Khan river...

Then back to our hotel - Villa Namkhan Riverside Hotel, for breakfast, shower and then out to explore on foot...

First stop; climb up Mount Phousi, lots of Buddha statutes and a stupa / cave (?) housing Buddha’s footprint (you decide...).

We bought a couple of sparrows on the climb up as they were couped up in tiny cages... it’s meant to bring you luck but I think it probably brings more luck for birds!! Released them at the top of the Mount...

Next stop, a quick look around the Golden Palace, of note the rare car collection of the King (exiled in 1975?) and some crazy chicken head costume thing... (wtf?), the guy obviously left in a hurry...
We weren’t able to see inside the palace because they were closing for lunch at 11.30, need to pop back.

Headed into the Day Market, talked to a travel agent about flights to Hanoi and then decided to retreat to a cafe (Tangor) for a coffee, in my case, Ginseng Oolang tea!

Next stop some Wat spotting;

Wat Pha Bang
Wat Mai
Wat Nong
And finally the best of all, Wat Xieng Thong....


Then we came out of the Wat Xieng Thong
and came across a very intriguing house, Club Viceroy (check it out on Google!)

Then we met an Ozzy guy who ran a clothes shop on Sakkaline Rd, he was great and gave us some great tips on things to do in LP.

Next we headed for the river, found the rickety bamboo bridge and paid 1,000 kip (0.10p!) to cross...wandered around the village in the opposite bank, very rural and not like Disney-style LP!

Came across a few monks crossing as well, hopefully a good omen!

Walked back to our hotel to find bags moved to our new room, took a shower and headed out to Chez Matt for drinks and then onto my 2nd favourite restaurant of the trip so far, Kaiphaen, ate the most gorgeous Asian beef salad that I’ve ever tasted (apart from Sean Foord’s that is).