Luang Prabang... love the way it rolls off your tongue.

Here is a pic of Kol Chhen my guide. He was very informative not only on the temples, he provided me with so many other interesting Information about Siem Reap and the Cambodian people.

February 26
I spent the morning around the pool relaxing before my flight to Luang Prabang. Feeling sorry for family and friends back home battling with snow!

Arrived to the hotel around 7:30 pm. Checked in and headed straight to the Night Market to find dinner. The Vangsavarh Hotel is quaint, run by a mother and son. The staff here is so friendly.

February 27
Luang Prabang is located in northern Laos, in the mountainous region. The town is built on a peninsula formed by the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. Luang Prabang was recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1995.

The hotel provides bicycles for us to ride around town. I call her Number 6! Isn't she pretty? I was a bit hesitant riding because it's beenover 25 years since I've been on the bike. I was pretty wonky..... the vehicles, the motorbikes and scooter, and some unsaved roads really had me worried that I would be leaving Laos all banged up. The saying is so true..."you never forget how to ride a bike". Before I knew it, I was weaving in and out of traffic! In town, I checked out Wat Mai.

Wat Mai (New Monastery) is one of the biggest and most beautiful temples in Luang Prabang. Its central position in town makes it one of the most visited temples of this ancient royal town.

The Phra Bang means "delicate Buddha" is,a statue 83cm high, covered in gold leaf. A special pavilion was constructed for the Phra Bang On the site of the Royal Palace Musuem. Each year, on the 3rd day of the Lao New Year, the Pha Bang takes its place in the courtyard of the Wat Maï Temple to be shown to the population who, in a sort of procession, purifie it by giving it water.

I booked a trip to Kuang Si Falls for the afternoon. Kuang SimFalls is Three tiers that leadto a 50-metre drop into spectacular pools before flowing downstream. The pools make great swimming holes. As I entered the gate, I noticed an enclosure that houses many Asian black bears following rescue from poachers. Most of these bears are injured...missing a leg, missing paws etc.

Now this is a HUGH spider!

Some pics on the way back


Perfect seat for this cutie

While at the falls, I met Bettina Pardi. We got along so well that we decided to meet for dinner at the night market. Bettina is from Hungary and has been travelling for the last 7 weeks. Thanks for a great evening Bettina and safe travels!