ALMS GIVING CEREMONY AND KUANGSI WATERFALL

If England has its famous tradition of “changing guards “ at the Buckingham Palace that attracts thousands of tourists, then the UNESCO heritage city of Luang Prabang would have her own version. It’s LP “Alms Giving Ceremony. This is one of the most sacred Laos traditions and is highly revered by locals and attracts tourists to rise before sunrise to observe this procession.

Before daybreak, monks, both young and old would walk down in single file barefooted in the traditional orange saffron robe, each slinging over his shoulder a bamboo weaved baskets to receive offerings mainly food, fruits and sweet snacks from Buddhists faithful. The monks walk down the main streets and then spread out to the side streets. It’s a silent and solemn ceremony and the procession is given the utmost respect.

 

 

Later in the day we went to Kuang Si Waterfalls, about 25km south of LP. We took a mini bus there. Kuang Si Waterfalls is a 3 tiers waterfall about 200 feet. The water is collect in turquoise blue pools as it flow downstream and forming many cascades. Some of these pools are open to public for swimming. This is favourite attractions for tourists

 

 

CRUISE ON THE MEKONG RIVER

It’s 8 a.m. The air is still cool at 16C. It has been rather cold at night for the last 1 week when temperature dipped to as low as 11C. Fortunately in the afternoon, it warmed up to the mid 20’s.

We walked toward the boat pier  where the long boats also called “slow boats” are docked 4 abreast. They will take us to Pak Ou Cave. This river boats are long and narrow and seat up to 10 paxs, seated 2 abreast. Pak Ou is 25km upstream and will take about 2 hours.

 

 

 

The boat cruised upstream on the muddy water of the Mekong River. This waterway is the economic lifeline of the Laotians. The place seem to be thinly populated with a few isolated villages along both sides of the river. Many small fishing boats as well as larger ferry boats are anchored along the shores. I even saw some women doing their laundry on the river bank. Traffic on the river was rather lull.

The cruise along the Mekong River was serene except for the engine noise. The view was picturesque and hills on the background were still covered with some mist. Some part of the river was shallow with pocket of beautiful rocks exposed. The boatman has to skilfully meander through these rocks.

We finally arrived at Pak Ou cave after 2 hours ride and disembarked on a rickety bamboo jetty.

The description of Pak Ou caves from Laos’s official website site below:

Pak Ou translates to ‘mouth of the Ou River’ with the first cave entrance of Tham Ting being very visible from the water; the higher cave is accessed by stairs. The Buddha images in the Pak Ou Caves assume a variety of positions, from meditation to peace and nirvana (the reclining Buddha). Both caves are shrines to Buddha, offering places of worship with the largest image in Tham Ting being a popular place to burn incense and offer prayers. The smaller cave is the more peaceful, with glimpses of the Mekong providing a breathtaking backdrop. The caves are a very popular pilgrim site for locals and get very busy during April when the Lao New Year is in full swing with locals washing and attending to the images. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

We also visit a Laotian village famous for Laos silk weaving as well was brewing of Laos whiskey.

I visited another village where we need to cross the Nam Khan River on a bamboo bridge built by the indigenous Laotians.  There is a fee payable for the use of this bamboo bridge.
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CITY OF LUANG PRABANG ON FOOT

The description of Luang Prabang by the Laos Official Tourism website,

LUANG PRABANG
Situated in the centre of northern Laos, Luang Prabang is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural, historic and architectural values and its harmonious relationship between the natural and built environment. In the 14^th century, the King Fa Ngum founded the first Lao Kingdom, Lane Xang, and here in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang remained the capital of Lane Xang until 1565 when the capital was moved to Vientiane. It remained to serve as the country’s spiritual and religious centre.

Visitors to Luang Prabang are charmed by the friendly atmosphere of this small town. The town itself offers several unique insights into the history of the region, through excellently preserved Buddhist temples, museum and a variety of Lao, Tai-Lee, Burmese, Chinese and Tai architecture at the Night Market. Luang Prabang sells a large variety of traditional goods. The town is famous for its unique textiles and beautiful mulberry paper. Famous foods in Luang Prabang are 'Aur Lam' (a thick stew made with the frosted herb), 'Sakhan', (meat and eggplants), 'Jaew Bong', (a sauce made with hot chillies and buffalo skin) and 'khai Pan' (dried river weed lightly fried with sesame seeds and garlic).

Some of the most visited sites in Luang Prabang Town are Wat Xieng Thong, Mount Phou Si, Wat Visounnarath (the former Royal Palace) and Wat Manolom. Equally beautiful are the lesser known temples across the Mekong River in Chomphet District. You can take a 1, 5 hour walk through the hills and forest opposite the main town to explore the old temple sites and peaceful environment. Just outside of the main town are the beautiful Tad Kwang Si Waterfall, Tham Ting Caves, Ban Xang Hai Village and the tiered Tad Sae Waterfall. Further out is Muang Ngoi Kao, a quiet village located on the banks of the Nam Ou River surrounded by high karst mountains and sheer limestone cliffs. You can visit these sites on your own or use the services of one of the many tour operators based in town.

 

Some of the places we visited today.

Below are colonial buildings now mostly converted to hotels and eateries for tourists.
The streets are well planned and clean especially in this part of the old city.

 

Temples built on almost every streets in Luang Prabang. Some are dated back to the 15th century.

Along the Mekong River