Day 21 - Luang Prabang, Laos

I'm not sure how it is possible for us to keep on having better and better days but we somehow are managing to. Today is another pearler. Very lucky too as Nat had "our" first bout of illness last night. Very sick (both ends - sorry Nat!). But she is fine this morning. (She is going to kill me when she reads this!!)

Si picks us up at 9am and we pick up our new Singapore buddies, Swan and Weng on the way. 

Breakfast at our hotel. 

First stop is the Tad Sae waterfalls which is about 40 mins outside of Luang Prabang up in the mountains. We weren't quite expecting a place like this. First we have to get a tiny boat up river for about 20 mins which is great fun. They feel so unsteady but are ok once you get going. 

Jungle Nat. 

When we arrive we are greeted by a herd of elephants (not wild). We contemplate riding one but in Nat's precarious position sitting on the back of an elephant for an hour might not be the best thing for her or the elephant! 

Strangely the place doesn't seem touristy at all so feels really authentic and off the beaten track. Must be a maximum of 30 people here in total. 

We then walk up the hill a little and get our first glance of the waterfalls. What a sight. Not as epic as any of the big ones in the world, just pure paradise. This is the bottom set of waterfalls.  

Another rickety bridge. 

Great place to have a beer!

A friend drops by to say hello. 

Not sure what he is turning his nose up at though! Nearly took my iPhone out of my hand! That would be an unusual insurance claim. "Sorry Admiral my elephant ate it" 

Best tree house ever!!!

This place looks like it could be in a theme park but is completely natural. Keep expecting a roller coaster to fly through when in fact the only thing flying through is Tarzan. Aka me into the blue lagoon. 

Quick change back into my shorts!

Teaching our Singapore friends how to play boules with elephants just about to invade play!!

Back on the boat. 

Next up we head to an amazing secluded resort for a drink. This is the definition of middle of nowhere. It's gorgeous but I noticed cobwebs everywhere walking through the forest and then stumbled on this fella. To give perspective this is the size of my open hand, just resting in the tree. Si our guide used to catch, fry and eat them as a child. 

The place is called the Lao Spirit Resort. Phenomenal views over the mountains. 

Panoramic version. 

Next we visited the Ban Phanom weaving village. This actually blew my mind. I had no idea what effort, skill, intricacy and time went into making even a scarf. Very impressive. 

Not a street food tour this time, just silk worms. If you can't eat 'um wear 'um I say. 

Then back into town for lunch at Le Banneton, a great little French place. Next up was the Xieng Thong temple aka Temple of the golden city. A beautiful place but Temples in Asia are like the London equivalent of Starbucks. They're 

everywhere and all look pretty similar. 

 

If you like it then you better put a ring on it (Buddha style!)

Next up was the fantastic Hmong new year festival. This is a yearly festival (obviously) outside the city where girls come to meet boys. Literally blind date on acid. They come from all around the country, dress up to the nines and try to bag a man. It is genius for the men. They just pick a girl they like stick her on the back of their motorbike and they are off into the sunset. Si met his now wife here same time last year. He had never met her before then and now they are married with a child. 

It's a proper festival with food stalls, bars, a stage with dancing and singing, carnival type games, gambling and even a bouncey castle. 

Dressed up waiting for their Prince Charming to arrive. He's behind you!!!

This bit was the best. Girls and boys line up and play catch 'with a twist'. You basically throw the ball to the girl/boy you fancy. There was a gaggle of ugly folk down one end that had no balls which made me laugh and the girls sad ;-)

All the balls were naturally being thrown at me. I had more balls thrown at me than a cheap hooker. 

After I had bagged my second wife we head back into town. The festival was such a fantastic experience. We were so lucky Si took us as there wasn't a single other tourist here. It was great to really experience the Lao way of life. 

That evening we had arranged to meet up with Swan, Weng and Renato from Luxembourg (also from the boat). We had such a great night. We sat in a fantastic bar called the Boat Club from 7pm until close, five bottles of rouge later. Great people, great company. Fun times. 

Problems with the card machine meant I had to go with the manager down the road to pay the bill. 

Boat buddies. 

Life really doesn't get any better than this.