Relaxing, chilling and laying low

Morning market, fresh peppers

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  Before I knew it I stayed five days in Luang Prabang, Laos. The old capital remained in power up until until 1545 when King Phothisarat influenced the move to the current capital of Vientiene. I suppose the extremely laid back atmosphere, thick coffee, good bakeries, and beautiful weather had much to do with it. I created a nice daily routine of waking up early and getting a fresh bagel, baguette or croissant followed by a nice walk through the city, taking in the many temples and local history.

  The Royal Palace built in 1904 during the early French colonial era is set on along the Mekong river and is a flashback to a time when architecture seemed to be on a much grander level. After seeing the main Royal Palace building I spent an evening watching traditional Lao dance and folk music in the Western theater building. The dance was supported by a traditional Lao group of musicians  consisting of khawng wong (a set of tuned gongs), ranyaat (simular characteristics to the xylophone), Maw Lam (dueling singers between man and woman),   a string instrument, and two drummers. The performance was very special in that a important politician from Vietnam was in attendance.

Early morning Monks gather rice from local town people.

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  On the night of day three I had a very significant conversation with the owner of the Guest House I was staying at. He told me stories about his father being friends with the last King in power, the non-stop sound of B-52's flying over from Thailand to Northern Laos dropping their unnecessary bombs, and how the older generations have retained speaking French to each other.

  The next day I helped organize a group of backpackers I had recently met to travel by TUk Tuk to a near by waterfall called Tat kuang Si. It turned out to be paradise as the swimming holes were dark emerald green one after another. As we climbed to the top waterfall it just kept getting more and more majestic. Between the night market selling quality silk products, many well kept temples, to the excellent food Luang Prabang was a wonderful experience that I will not forget.