Luang Phrabang

So, Luang Prahbang... If we have to be honest we expected a little more because of the great things we had heard from fellow travelers. Don't get us wrong its a cool place with a relaxed vibe, an interesting morning market (serving the finest squirrel, frog, sting rays, grubs and more...) and some great bars (such as Utopia where you can sit on a bamboo deck 40ft above the ground overlooking the river) however there didn't seem much else...

We began one day rising at 5am to climb the many steps to a temple atop a hill to watch the sun rise. The view was ace. We then went to the morning market and watched more monks take part in the giving of alms once again. In the afternoon we went to the waterfall Tad Sae (reachable only by boat) which has many small waterfalls with pools to swim in. It was a welcome change to relax in the sun and have a swim. After some dinner we went back to Utopia for a drink and then headed off to play ten pin bowling til the early hours with the gang (fitting 15 in an 8 seater taxi to get there...)! We enjoyed our time there and liked the place but just didn't love it like we expected to as it felt a bit ruined by its focus to please western backpackers.

Next stop, Vang Vieng where the infamous tubing occurs... The bus down was a mix of trying to sleep, feeling sick, getting cramped and taking in the magical & breathtaking scenery. It was 7 hours travelling up & down some of the most amazing mountains through incredible national parks and forests that only David Attenborough & his helicopter crew could really do any justice to! This really made us appreciate what Laos has to offer if when we aren't just focusing on the touristy places. Sadly we don't have enough time to explore the wildernes So, Luang Prahbang... If we have to be honest we expected a little more because of the great things we had heard from fellow travelers. Don't get us wrong its a cool place with a relaxed vibe, an interesting morning market (serving the finest squirrel, frog, sting rays, grubs and more...) and some great bars (such as Utopia where you can sit on a bamboo deck 40ft above the ground overlooking the river) however there didn't seem much else...

We began one day rising at 5am to climb the many steps to a temple atop a hill to watch the sun rise. The view was ace. We then went to the morning market and watched more monks take part in the giving of alms once again. In the afternoon we went to the waterfall Tad Sae (reachable only by boat) which has many small waterfalls with pools to swim in. It was a welcome change to relax in the sun and have a swim. After some dinner we went back to Utopia for a drink and then headed off to play ten pin bowling til the early hours with the gang (fitting 15 in an 8 seater taxi to get there...)! We enjoyed our time there and liked the place but just didn't love it like we expected to as it felt a bit ruined by its focus to please western backpackers.

Next stop, Vang Vieng where the infamous tubing occurs... The bus down was a mix of trying to sleep, feeling sick, getting cramped and taking in the magical & breathtaking scenery. It was 7 hours travelling up & down some of the most amazing mountains through incredible national parks and forests that only David Attenborough & his helicopter crew could really do any justice to! This really made us appreciate what Laos has to offer if when we aren't just focusing on the touristy places. Sadly we don't have enough time to explore the wilderness but were just happy to get a glimpse of it. Tubing today, we will update in due course...!

Love Alnsoph x s but were just happy to get a glimpse of it. Tubing today, we will update in due course...!

Love Alnsoph x