4th – 6th October 

One of those days

Simon and I wanted to get an early bus the next morning to Luang Prabang, but the time changed from 7 – 8am, then after being picked up just after 8, we proceeded to sit on the bus until 9.40am waiting for other people to board before we actually left. This frustrated me quite a bit! Then an hour or so into the 4 hour journey we stopped for a loo break, to drive 5 mins down the road for a lunch stop….. at 11am. Oh well, make the most of it. I had some weird vegetable thing that wasn’t that nice, but an ice lolly made up for it! Then arriving to LP we were dropped off about a 30-40 min walk outside the city, big backpacks and all. I’d heard this is common practice in Asia, a deal between the bus and tuk tuk drivers to make more money. The tuk tuks are different to the ones in Sri Lanka, they have space for many people rather than just 2. So most of us on the minibus negotiated a price and got dropped off in the centre of town, where it a 10 min walk to the hostel.

Celine joined us on a later bus in the evening, but we left René behind as she had come the opposite way and was next heading to Vientiane. She’d suggested the hostel she’d stayed in a LP, Aham, it had a gym next door so I was sold! Fully intending to go do some sights in the afternoon, this idea got ruined as I tried to unblock my bank card. I had to call Natwest and as many tourist sims don’t include calls, only data, I had to put my world SIM card from home in. During the 23 minute phone call, most of which I was on hold, of had a text message telling me the call rate in Laos of £2 per minute…… shit. A big wobbly moment again as I thought I’d wasted nearly £50, still not sure if I’ll get it back 😡. Tired, angry and emotional don’t mix, it wasn’t the best day. 

It got a little better in the evening as the 3 of us wandered round the amazing night market in LP and had a nice dinner.

Swimming in Waterfalls

We hired scooters once again the next day to go to the Tat Kuang Si waterfalls, the must do thing whilst in LP. It was around 45 minutes away and the roads were pretty crap, filled with potholes! We got there, grabbed an ice cream and paid into the area. There’s a small bear sanctuary housing sun bears all rescued from poachers. The gall bladder is used for some medical purpose and are kept inhumanly. 

We then went up to the waterfalls, which are pretty impressive! Turquoise cascades and pools created by limestone rock. A great place to swim, we plunged in. Whilst swimming we found we were offered a free foot spa by the fish, some of them have a pretty big chomp! There was also a high log jutting out over the pool, which we had a go at jumping off. 

A little further up was a cafe, so we stopped for a long lunch with the most gorgeous backdrop of the waterfalls. We then did the hike up to the top of the waterfall where there were more pools & places to swim, and swing! I found my happy place sat on that swing, watching a wooden raft boat sail off. Happy times. The walk back down the other side was interesting, part of it was down steps practically in the waterfall, it was good fun!

Celine and her friend Will, who she met on the bus to LP, had a little fall on the scooter on the way back, nothing major but further put me off the idea of renting one myself! We got back freshened up and walked up the Phu Si Hill, the best place to catch sunset. Unfortunately because of this there were also a hundred + other tourists there doing the same thing, but it was still so beautiful. LP is such a dreamy city with an ancient Asian feel. Another happy moment looking over this picturesque city with the hazy dusk lighting, perfect 👌. 

We then went down to Utopia bar, which sits on the river banks and has a decking filled with lay-down cushions over looking the view. Having a beer we chatted and met with Vicky, another girl from our hostel from the UK. We were then directed to the better night market food stalls, just down an alley off the main Street. They had a huge veggie buffet – as much as you can fit into the huge bowls they gave you for 15,000 kip, all of £1.33. It was sooooooo good, lots of rice, noodles and fresh veg. Simon also got his coconut pancakes again for dessert. 

I really liked Luang Prabang and it was today that I made the decision to stay and chill out there a little longer, rather then my rushed original plan to get to the Thai border. 

Lazy Day

The morning wasn’t the best, the motorbike rental guy was demanding money off Celine and Will for a small dent in the bike. It took a bit of negotiating but they finally gave back Celine’s passport! Needed as she was flying to Hanoi that night! I then went to do a gym sesh at the ’Mr Muscle Gym’ next door. Simon and I had decided to move hostels to the Chill Riverside Hostel where Will was staying. Just up from the Utopia bar, it also has decking over looking the river. 

The rest of the day was pretty lazy. Mine and Celine’s plan was to hit a few bakeries. It was sooooo hot! We had a wander round, found Joma bakery, which they also had elsewhere, and had some lunch and I had a pumpkin spiced latte! Felt all festive for the autumn period! 😁

We then fully intended to do a couple of temples and the Royal Palace, but Celine and I had stupidly forgotten this requires modest dress and we had shorts and scrappy tops on. So we stopped at another cafe for a drink and then went to Utopia bar again to chill out before Celine had to go catch her flight. Here we met Sarah, a Brit who’s lived most her life in Australia. We said our goodbyes to Celine and then went back to the night market for a second dose of the all you can eat veggie buffet! We then had a look round the night market and I picked a couple of light souvenirs!