If it had been for us we would have stayed more days in Muan Ngoi Neua, enjoying its beautiful sunset over the balancing of the hammocks, but there is much to visit in Laos, and one of the stops par excellence is the city that many consider most charming in all of Southeast Asia, what was the capital of Laos in the past: Luang Prabang.
As we have already said on some occasions, the path taken to reach a site is usually better than the destination itself. In this case it is difficult to affirm although the journey by boat to Luang Prabang was an experience, and navigate the last kilometers along the historic Mekong River We will never forget it.
The trip lasted about 7 hours, with a stop at a little beach at the edge of the river (a piss stop) and another forced stop a few kilometers from arriving because we ran out of gas (it can't be !! Again?). We have passed through a valley between spectacular mountains, deserted beaches, villages, orchards on the banks of the river, and to reach Luang Prabang with the last rays of the sun in the distance.
Luang Prabang It is an out-of-the-city city, full of colonial buildings that have been rehabilitated in the form of Guest Houses or tour operators, and numerous temples (more than 50) that rise in tree-covered avenues. But its main protagonist is the Mekong that bathes its northern slope, from where to drink a beer on a terrace in the late afternoon is priceless. Backpackers from all over the world meet in Luang Prabang, so the atmosphere is fantastic!
Apart from visiting the temples and the hill that stands in the center of the city, we spend a day visiting the Kuang Si waterfall. Its green waters encourage you to take a good dip. At the entrance of the park there is an area with protected bears, although they cannot bathe here it does not seem to be bad at all.
It has been a few quite tranquil days, walking, visiting the night market and the street they ride with vegetarian restaurants at night (where we met two Zamoranas!), It seems that the parsimony of the Mekong River has been infected to the city, and from it to travelers.
Transport. How to get to Luang Prabang?
We have arrived by boat from Nong Khiaw (departure at 11am), the trip costs 110,000 kips (about € 11).
Accommodation. Where to sleep in Luang Prabang?
It has cost us a lot to find a cheap and beautiful GH. In the end we stayed in the Suticon2, so far the best of the trip, with private balcony bathroom, tv, all wood and coffee and free tea, for 70,000 kips. It is somewhat far from the center, but with 10 minutes of walking you can reach anywhere.
Visit to Kuang Si waterfall
The agencies offer excursions in tuk tuk or minivan for 30,000 or 40,000 respectively. You can also hire directly with the "tuktukeros" near the national museum. A good option is to ride a motorcycle. The entrance to the park costs 20,000 kips. The waterfall is very beautiful and bathing in its water an experience!
