Morning Market

A detour back to our hotel after experiencing the giving of alms and we find ourselves walking the morning market of Luang Prabang. Unlike the morning market in Vang Vieng, here the market is spread out along the sidewalks of a few of the cities streets.

In the early morning, from fresh pineapples, eggplants and ginger to mounds of hot peppers that I am sure would make you sweat like being in a Virginia tobacco barn, you can see and buy the taste and flavors of Laos. You can even doing some early morning clothes shopping if it suites your heart's desire.

There are also fresh meat and fish vendors with some interesting selections in the offering. We buy some fresh small tomatoes then I sample some mini coconut pancakes, mushy but delicious.

Leaving the market is when we come across some unique items for sale. Pink eggs, that I assume are from “Happy Pink” chickens and a pair hooves that I am still not sure about. Certainly, they are not “Happy Feet”.


Video:http://youtu.be/lt5UFdDLyXo

Love your videos!

I find those kinds of markets to be fascinating. Thanks for sharing your videos.

Southeastern,

Thanks

simpsonc510,

I do too! Just wish those type of markets were available where I live. However, I think the health department would shut them down or most vendors would be regulated out of business

What do you make out of the pair of feet for sale? Soup, perhaps?

A Mekong River Cruise

It is not even 8 am and we have already had an almost full day of activities. The only thing this morning that has officially been missing so far has been breakfast.

For about US$4, two orders of fresh Laos crepes filled with fresh mango and bananas are served. Enjoyed with a glass of fresh papaya juice and the most important meal of the day is complete.

A quick walk from our breakfast restaurant and we wait along a street with others to board boats for a cruise along the Mekong River. Following an airline type boarding process, we descend a steep hillside down to the Mekong Riverfront.

With about ten passengers on board, we have first class seats as we set off down the Mekong River.

In the early morning sun, the views are visually stunning. It is as if we are traveling back in time across undeveloped lands. Areas along the river are sparsely populated and my mind wanders to a time when this land was untouched.

In this area, on both sides of the river the landscape is covered with a thick rich green vegetation and in the distance towering weird shaped mountains touch the skies.

We are on our way to visit Buddha Caves but our first stop is at a local Mekong River village where we can get a free sampling of Lao whiskey.

Video:http://youtu.be/-fQl-IdC_tE

Question: How has your stomach faired? Have you had any issues with the food? If so, what have you taken so solve the problem. Thanks.

southeastern,

No problem with the food. Did have to make an emergency bathroom run at a gas station in Bangkok but never had to take anything to deal with it.

I do travel with the regular meds like Pepto, Immodium AD, etc but avoid taking them unless I absolutely need to.

Somehow, I think a little upset stomach know and then is not a bad exchange to sample different foods and build up more tolerance for them.

I haven't died from eating or drinking anything yet

A Mekong River Village

Climbing up a steep set of dirt stairs, we are welcomed to our Mekong River Village stop with a loud and almost unfriendly, “Cock-a-doodle-do”.

The ear piercing sound is soon ignored by the smiling faces behind rows and rows of interestingly packaged alcohol. We are at one of the most advertised reason for making this stop. Here is where we can get a free sampling of Lao whiskey and a quick education on how it is made.

However, a language barrier issue prevents me from learning about what I think is most intriguing, the bottling of some of the products. After two different samplings, first a rice wine with 15% alcohol and then the whiskey with 50% alcohol, I decide I will save my throat and just stick with the rice wine.

Conveniently available in a 3-4oz bottle, I promise the young smiling and cheerful salesgirl that I would return to buy one.

A stroll through one area of the village and I come across one of the joys and reasons I love traveling, meeting locals especially kids who seem happy without a care in the world.

I remember those days as a kid when you just saw people as people, you were happy, life was fun and you knew nothing about the sometimes unpleasantries of humanity.

Not surprising this village also has a Buddhist community with unique buildings, temples and various statues. A brief pause and I watch some of the daily activities of the Buddhist monks.

On the grounds nearby, vendors sell different handcrafted items from the village. For me, it is amazing to see one lady demonstrating her skills on an old fashioned weaving machine. The finished products are fascinating.


Video:http://youtu.be/xNaHUk2eVjk

Thanks for the eating information. When I was in Cambodia a couple of years ago, I picked up a stomach issue but was on Cipro for a cold I brought with me so it knocked it out. I really liked the street food looks but was afraid to try it. Heading to Cambodia and Vietnam at Christmas so was wondering how you faired since you seem to try it all. Good to know that the stomach bug hasn't detered you. Happy travels and please keep posting.

Visiting Buddha Cave

Leaving a brief stop at a Mekong River village, we continue down the river towards Buddha Cave. The scenery along the river continues to be amazing as we are surrounded by rich green foliage and towering jagged shaped mountains.

Buddha Cave was first used by locals that worshiped “The Spirit Of Nature”. It was not until the 16th century that it became apart of Buddhism. Every New Year since then Buddha Cave would be visited by The Royal Family as Buddhism had become a part of Laos culture.

Today, here you can see many statues of Buddha, some dating back to the 16th century. There are two sets of caves located here, a lower and upper cave. A small entrance fee is required to visit both.

To visit the upper cave requires a little bit of physical stamina as there are a steep set of stairs to climb. Definitely worth the effort as you get beautiful views of the Mekong River below. Across the river on the eastern edges is a farming and fishing village whose residents are responsible for taking care of Buddha Cave.


Video:http://youtu.be/XQzrNwR7P7c

Dining At The Night Market

Although I am sure there are many fine restaurants in Luang Prabang along with other dining options, the chance to eat at the local “Night Market” should not be missed.

For under US$5, I am having a fresh grilled fish that is served on a banana leaf along with a one time trip to a buffet with a wide selection of local Lao food. The fish is moist, delicious and “finger-picking” good. Add a cold Beer Lao and you have a dining option that is hard to beat.

Besides my selections, the “Night Market” offers many other choices that should please any palette.


Video:http://youtu.be/TFj6YwHQNeM

Scooter Riding Like A Local

In returning to pay for a tour for the next day, I discover I can save a few bucks by paying in cash. However, I am just a little short on kips.

No problem for the tour agent who offers to drive me on his scooter to the local ATM. I don't think riding on the back of a scooter here has the same “Hell's Angels” reputation as back home, so I take him up on his offer.

Learning a little bit about a local and life in Laos was definitely worth the ride even if I end up losing my good standing with my motorcycle brethren.


Video:http://youtu.be/uGWag2YyUHA

Sightseeing Luang Prabang

With some time free in Luang Prabang, we do a little sightseeing starting on the grounds of the National Museum. There are several buildings here including the Royal Ballet Theatre and the palace building where an admission fee is charged.

We opt to just stroll the grounds and enter a building with a decor that is very interesting. Covered all around in gold colored decorations, this building houses “The Old Vor Prabang”. The Old Vor Prabang is a portable type throne used to transport Buddha to the temple during “The New Year” celebration. The intricate craftsmanship in its design is amazing.

Across the street from the National Museum we make a brief stop at Watpahouk a World Heritage site. Here, we are welcomed by the howling of a roaming dog as we look at story telling pictures on the walls that date back to 1860.

If you need to get a good work out for the day then at least one trip up to Mt Phousi should do. Leaving Watpahouk, we begin a steep climb to get great views of Luang Prabang and The Mekong River. Fortunately, there are beautiful resting stops along the way and you do have to pay a small admission fee to visit the temple.

The temple itself is not that spectacular compared to many others around the city but you really come here for the views below.

Catch your breath as you take in nice panoramic views of this charming city and you will discover that climbing Mt Phousi was well worth it even if your thighs are still on fire.

Video:http://youtu.be/BSZRcMV4i7U

Journey to Tad Se Falls

We are up early our last day in Laos. This morning we are taking a trip to Tad Se Falls after which we will be driven to the Luang Prabang airport for a flight to Hanoi. This had all been arranged the night before for what I consider a reasonable price of US$30 per person.

Before our hotel pick up, we make a trip to the morning market for more breakfast samplings and fresh fruit. The pineapples here are irresistible and consistently the best tasting pineapples I have had anywhere.

Initially our tour was scheduled for six people but as it turns out there will be only two of us. As with all of our other tours and bus rides in Laos, our first stop is at a gas station. Here we get to see how locals purchase their gas and transport it using water bottles.

About a twenty minute ride out of town and we arrive at a small river community where some active boat building is taking place. A few minutes later, we are cruising down the river in a boat that was probably built right here.

A short boat ride and as you would expect in Laos, we have to climb up at set of stairs to where we will begin our elephant ride.


Video:http://youtu.be/TzNIOWSItjA

This is really taking me back to our trip there earlier this year, DMB! I really should have made better use of the video capabilities in my camera. Thanks for posting!

mrgo,

Sounds like you had just as wonderful time as we did in Laos. I hope others will get to experience some of what we did in this beautiful country.

Videos make get keepsakes but the editing can be a challenge. I use the Flip which I think is simple and great.

Thanks for enjoying my posting

Trail Of The Falls

Arriving at the elephant riding area of Tad Se Waterfall, we are told we will have to wait about twenty minutes as all the available elephants are currently “rented”. This delay gives us a chance to explore around the waterfall which is at a very low level this time of the year.

I follow a path up a slight hill towards a restaurant where Zip-Lining is available for about US$65 per person. Beyond this area the path turns into the Trail of The Falls with some interesting trees and sites along the way.

The “Ghost Wood” tree produces a seed oil that is said to be good in the fight against cancer while the “Bishop Wood” tree is used to make wine and lubricants.

Upstream of the falls there are pools of water that are manually funneled down to the main area of Tad Se. This system assists the natural water flow over the falls in the dry season.

Although many areas of the falls are now arid, there is one area where enough water gathers to form a large pool. This area can be used for a refreshing swim if you so chose.


Video:http://youtu.be/cx1YrS_kH8Q

Elephant Riding

As I watch some of the world's largest land animals casually walk around, I am amazed at man's ability to domesticate them. In a way, I am jealous of Fred and Barney because they got to ride a dinosaur while I will have to settle for an elephant.

These gentle giants can be interesting to watch as they interact with their handlers or visitors that take a liking to petting or feeding them. I am not sure why but their eyes seem to express a bit of sadness which gives me a ping of guilt for being here. However, from petting and feeding them, I think I get the nod that in the end they don't mind taking me for a ride.

Climbing a custom built platform, we make our way onto a few tons of flesh and bones. A handler casually sits on the massive head with a tool in his hand that makes me a bit uncomfortable. It's a small ax like tool that is used to control the elephant. My uncomfortableness eases when I think of it as a rein on a horse instead of a pick ax.

Our ride takes us down a well marked trail and with a continuous rolling and sliding motion we take in a bit of Lao jungle scenery. With long legs I am able to feel the warmth of huge ears as the elephant flaps them back and forth. In a way I hope he has seen “Dumbo” and thinks he can fly.

With a series of unusual verbal sounds and the touching of the ears with his feet, I believe this is how our handler commands the elephant. In a interesting mix of the animal world and technology, along the path, the handler reaches into his pocket and starts dialing. I just hope there is a law here against text while elephant driving.

Eventually we are taken across Tad Se Waterfall which is not as spectacular as it would be in the rainy season. It is still a bit breathe taking as the elephant makes his way down a ramp into a pool area below the falls. The most exciting thing happens as we on our way out of the pool. A little chicken crosses the path of the elephant and he becomes spooked letting out a “OMG” get that thing away from me sound. I am glad it was not a mouse. I thought I was riding an elephant, however for a moment we were on the world's biggest chicken.

Back at our starting point all is forgiven as we reward our elephant with a bunch of bananas and thank him for not totally freaking out on us back there.

Part of our tour package includes lunch with like all the food I have had in Laos turns out to be delicious. A hot clear broth soup and stir fried rice done Lao style followed by fresh pineapple for desert hits the right spot.


Video:http://youtu.be/34FLgwVR4KA

Thank you! I'm here now!!! sounds amazing