Saturday...exploring Luang Prabang

After a rather relaxed start to the day, with breakfast delivered to our balcony (did we mention it overlooks the river?!), we caught the free hotel transfer to town.

Town consists of 2 main streets that run parallel to the Mekong river and several blocks running away from the river, which were basically dirt tracks.  As we walked down the main street we realised that the traffic in Luang Prabang would be a welcome relief from Hanoi's buzz, and apart from the odd motorbike and 'Junk' taxi we were the only ones on the road!!

After some time acquainting ourselves with the surroundings we set off on a walking tour of the town, which took us down one street and up the next, witnessing the daily life of Luang Prabang.  We soon noticed that this was a very religious place, with Wats on practically every street...and with Wats came Monks, and plenty of them!

A quick stop at the Royal Palace Museum allowed us to escape from the midday sun, which was beating down at a healthy 36 degrees.  The Royal Palace which had been built in the early 1900s used to house the Royal family until 1975 when the Pathet Lao Government asked them to step down and subsequently imprisoned them in 're-education' camps in the mountainous north...never to be seen again.  It was truly stunning to see, as nothing had been changed since they left; we browsed the interior which had a slightly strange feeling, as you looked into empty bedrooms, and viewed worn clothes from the Royal era.  It is said that local people will not venture into the palace after dark as they believe the ghosts of the Royal family roam the halls!

Back on the street we wandered down a couple of blocks which took us to the main street that skirted the river front; it's French colonial houses lined the road, and looked stunning in the afternoon sun.  The road took us to Wat Xieng, the most impressive Wat in Luang Prabang; built in the 1500s and of Royal patronage until 1975, it truly was a sight to behold.  With its mosaics and gold leaf Buddhas hiding within we explored the complex thoroughly not wanting to miss a thing.

The road back to the centre of town took us past several other impressive Wats, where the Monks were beating their instruments in prayer.

Before we headed back to the bungalows for the night we wanted to make one last stop, and this involved several hundred stairs as we climbed to the top of Mount Phu si, the mountain that overshadows the town.  The climb up was well worth it as the views from the top overlooked the entire surroundings, we stayed up there to watch the sunset, which was beautiful.

Back at the bungalows we had a delicious dinner and headed for a well deserved rest.