Day 22 - Luang Prabang, Laos

We have fallen in love with Luang Prabang. It has very tough competition but it's our favourite place so far. Such a lovely town, great vibe, amazing places to eat, drink and see, breathtaking scenery, lovely architecture and real character and sophistication. 

We had a more chilled day today. The last week has been fairly non stop. Got up late and had a lazy Sunday morning. Lovey breakfast reading the papers and the very sad news and amazing tributes to Nelson Mandela. 

Then time for some exercise. I mapped out a route and we both went for a run. Such lovely running weather. We did a good 7km run down the river but got a bit scared when we had to cross the 'old bridge'. They don't call it old for nothing. 

It's about 40ft up and some of those planks look pretty old and are not placed too closely together in parts. 

We decide to borrow bikes from the hotel today to explore the town. What a great way to explore. By the end of the day there was not a street in Luang Prabang that we hadn't been down. We were both a bit rocky having not rode a bike for years but we soon remember. Guess it's like riding a bike! (Dad joke!)

Monk crossing. This bridge looked more rickety than the one earlier across the Nam Khan river. 

We park our bikes and stop off for a drink at one of lovely bars on the side of the river. 

Cruising down Main Street. 

Next up we head to Mount Phouse (pronounced in a very amusing way). Unfortunately it isn't what the name suggests when we get to the top, some 350 steps above the town. It is just a small temple but with fantastic panoramic views of Luang Prabang with the river on one side and the mountains on the other.  

The Mekong. 

Contemplating Nat. 

Back on the bikes. 

There are loads of classic cars parked putside of hotels. Kind of gives it a Cuban feel in places. 

After my Lao massage (£4 for an hour!). I pick Nat up from the hotel and race to the other side of the town to try to catch the sunset across the Mekong. Once again the sunset is amazing although the sun had just gone behind the mountain as we arrived which was a shame as it looked phenomenal. Still a great sunset though. 

The night market. 

That evening we go to a superb restaurant called Blue Lagoon for dinner.  We sit in a lovely garden out the back in a hidden oasis in the middle of town. 

http://www.blue-lagoon-cafe.com/contact.htm

The best thing of all is we have a fire pit right next to our table! You know how my arsonist tendencies love a good fire. 

Next we walk around the other side of Phouse mountain to Lao Lao Garden. 

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/laos/northern-laos/luang-prabang/restaurants/other/lao-lao-garden

This turns out to be one of the best bars I have been in. It's goes on forever out the back and is like a jungle scene. It is landscaped amazingly with little tables hidden away between the trees and guess what? It has an even better fire pit than the last place!

Absolutely in my element!!

Nat dressed as a granny!

Dragons in the trees. 

Home for 10.30 which feels late! We are really getting used to this laid back way of life. Early start tomorrow for our 7 hour bus ride to Vang Vieng. We are going to really miss Luang Prabang. Definitely a place I will come back too. 

PS. I need to apologise to my biggest fan and number one blog follower, my Grandma, for the late posting of this blog. The internet connection in our room got the better of us last night. Thank you for the numerous Facebook messages enquiring where it is! :-) at least you get double the helping today! X