Buddhist monks walk the streets to collect the morning alms from the local people

Luang Prabang was just as spiritual as we expected…The population of the city is around 56000. The monks can be seen walking quietly all over town. The temples and monasteries are beautiful and numerous (more than 30). We walked up several hundred steps to see the well-known Mount Phousi in the town center. When you arrive at the top the view is amazing. The Laos people think that if you set a bird free at the top of this mountain you will enjoy happiness and good luck in the future. Other attractions we visited were the Royal Palace (years ago Luang Prabang was the capital of Laos), Wat Sen (temple), Dexter (a cafe/reataurant in town with tasty food) and Utopia (relaxed and friendly bar/restaurant for backpackers). Outside the city we got to see the Kuang Si Waterfalls wich was stunningly beautiful. On our way out we saw some weird-looking animals who looked like a mix between cows and pigs, the body looking like a cow with shorter feet, sometimes with a curly tail and fair skin. 🙂 Back in town we also enjoyed the night market and the national day in Luang Prabang. Alongside calm salesmen and women the children were playing and having fun. Lights and music made the whole experience even more relaxing. In Laos near all men are, once in their lives, living as a monk for a year or longer (some remain monks all their life) to get a good upbringing and attitude. That is something all people could benefit from in my opion… One morning we got up at 6 o’clock to witness the monks walk the streets to collect their morning alms. It was a nice and quiet happening where around 20 monks (outside one temple) walked slowly past the local people giving them food… It was all over in minutes – and we went happily back to our beds to sleep some more hours. 🙂 We finally experienced several trips by boat on the Mekong river alongside Luang Prabang wich we all enjoyed very much. The people we met were very friendly and grandparents seemed to have a close relationship with their grandchildren as moreover being the ones to look after them. We certainly enjoyed our stay and would have nooooo problem revisiting this peaceful place on earth…

Our pictorial hotel garden and lakeview alongside the Mekong river in Luang Prabang

Luna Noor in Kuang Si Waterfalls in Luang Prabang

The national day in Laos 

 

The evening we arrived Laos crossing the Mekong river to get to our hotel…

And arriving our hotel…

And this is how it looked like the next morning – ready for breakfast

Mount Phousi

The Royal Palace

Wat Sen and other temples in Luang Prabang

The restaurants Dexter is worth a visit – delicious food and drinks! Jummy!

We met these wonderful women at Dexter from the Phillippines, Singapore, Thailand and Fiji. They were head-hunted from their jobs in different parts of the world to join the start-up of a new hotel in town. No wonder! They bursted with energy and positive attitude. It was great getting to know them – if only for half an hour. Good luck on your hotel start-up! 🙂

The bar/restaurant Utopia was also a great experience. Great food and relaxed environment… We nearly ended up sleeping after lunsh. 🙂

Trip to the Kuang Si Waterfalls

In thown and the night market

The Laos National Day

The monks in Luang Prabang

Boat trips on the Mekong River