Breakdown In Paradise
The sleeperbus to Luang Prabang was the priciest yet, thanks to my own laziness. Picking up the habit of relaxing after arriving in oh so calm Vientiane, I decided to book my bus to Luang Prabang through the guesthouse. That cost me 20 euro's and as if karma had something to do with it, the 8 hour bus ride became a 20 hour journey thanks to the breaking down of the bus, leaving us stranded some 200 km from our destination. After some negotiating with another bus driver that happened to pass us by with an almost empty bus, we took the 5 euro per person deal and hopped on the far less luxurious, but far more functional alternative. Hours slept: 3.
'We' at this point were about 17 falang, with nine of us ending up in the same guesthouse and having a small celebration in Luang Prabang.
Paradise City
Luang Prabang is a beautiful place. Some of the temples here are over 500 years old and for a culture nut as myself, there is plenty to see and to do. It remains to be seen for how long this place is going to be as laid back as it is, as a Chinese built railway connection is under construction and is expected to be finished in 2014. Not only will this connect Luang Prabang with the Hungry Dragon, but also with the capital Vientiane. The airport in Luang Prabang is being expanded and tuktuk drivers are already more pushy here than in the rest of the country.
Luang Prabang offers temples, stores, a night market, restaurants and so far, good company in the form of the previously mentioned nine people.
Having slept four hours last night because I wanted to see the monks at dawn here , my brain is doing overtime, so I'm just going to say: "Here are some pictures, enjoy."
Depending on a plethora of factors, I might be catching the boat tomorrow up north. Anywhom, 'up north' is sort of less developed, so extended radio silence should not be unusual.
Laos remains more than just a little pleasant so far.
The sleeperbus to Luang Prabang was the priciest yet, thanks to my own laziness. Picking up the habit of relaxing after arriving in oh so calm Vientiane, I decided to book my bus to Luang Prabang through the guesthouse. That cost me 20 euro's and as if karma had something to do with it, the 8 hour bus ride became a 20 hour journey thanks to the breaking down of the bus, leaving us stranded some 200 km from our destination. After some negotiating with another bus driver that happened to pass us by with an almost empty bus, we took the 5 euro per person deal and hopped on the far less luxurious, but far more functional alternative. Hours slept: 3.
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| This caught fire at some point |
Paradise City
Luang Prabang is a beautiful place. Some of the temples here are over 500 years old and for a culture nut as myself, there is plenty to see and to do. It remains to be seen for how long this place is going to be as laid back as it is, as a Chinese built railway connection is under construction and is expected to be finished in 2014. Not only will this connect Luang Prabang with the Hungry Dragon, but also with the capital Vientiane. The airport in Luang Prabang is being expanded and tuktuk drivers are already more pushy here than in the rest of the country.
Luang Prabang offers temples, stores, a night market, restaurants and so far, good company in the form of the previously mentioned nine people.
Having slept four hours last night because I wanted to see the monks at dawn here , my brain is doing overtime, so I'm just going to say: "Here are some pictures, enjoy."
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| Nightmarket |
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| Bartering with 12 year olds. |
Depending on a plethora of factors, I might be catching the boat tomorrow up north. Anywhom, 'up north' is sort of less developed, so extended radio silence should not be unusual.
Laos remains more than just a little pleasant so far.
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