Luang Prabang- February 2011

If Vientianne is quiet, Luang Prabang is way more quiet and clean.
It has a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

On our first day, we decided to go to the famous waterfalls.

 This is the entrance of the park to direct tourists.
First we got to see the bears....

Then took pictures with the other bears....

The lower falls....

Me trying to jump over the water...

Another part of the waterfall..

Me and Effa playing around since we wouldn't dare swim.

Holding on to the tree...

Posing with the waterfalls as the backdrop...

Another angle....

The main waterfall...



trying to drink....

Going back after spending time at the falls.

It was tiring going up but we forgot while taking pictures and enjoying the view.

Vientianne delights

As we continue exploring the city, we discovered that it is a tourist friendly
place. Most people can actually speak English so it is easy to go around.

We had lunch

 but it wasn't as tasty as it looked. It was actually my first time to eat whale sashimi. The fish wasn't fresh at all. Well what do i expect, this is a city miles from the sea. Why did we ever went to this place anyway?
It looked fancy that's why.
A touch of an old era...

Sitting down in someone else front yard.

The vertical runway....I was puzzled on how does a vertical runway looks like and
the explanation was apparently the materials that were supposed to be used for a runway
were used here instead so that's why the name goes.

Anyway it's not literary vertical as i imagined.

On top of Patuxai

On our way to another museum or temple. The driver can actually speak English but as
always they rob you off your money because you're a tourist by asking way more than the
usual fare...well at least now i know, it's the same in all the places I've been to.

  The golden temple....

 

At last on our way to Luang Prabang

The view was really breathtaking, it reminds me so much of home.

One of the buses that takes tourists from Vientianne to Luang Prabang on a 10 hour ride.

 Finally in Luang Prabang. Dinner again with Lao beer.

And the night market.

 Off to sleep for another day in Luang Prabang.

Laos- Vientianne

It was my second time to celebrate TET- the Vietnamese new year
and after spending it in Hanoi for the first year, I am determined
not to do it anymore.The city literary becomes a ghost town
and for a single soul like me, it is a bad idea to do it again.
So, here i am going with my sister and her colleague to Laos.

Aside from the fact that Hanoi is cold this time. We haven't seen
the sun in over a month now. So, here we are, all packed and ready
in search of the sun.

Much to my disappointment, there was no sun when we arrived in Vientianne.
It was so quiet, we were wondering where we ended up.
Since we couldn't check in since it's still early, we decided to walk
around and look for a place to have breakfast.

First of all, we have to start with money and the guide.

The tower near the Mekong river.

Resting for awhile before going out. It is a backpackers Inn but it is good.

Indian cuisine for dinner- first day.

The statue of King Anouvong near the Mekong River.

The Nagas or seven headed snake, an important part of the Mekong history.

The Museum

In front....

Inside...hundreds of Buddhas.

And the ladies.......

And the gentlemen..

and monks...

Hanoi (City of Turtles)

What with the title? people might think but it is exactly true.
It's not directly related to the post but i just need something to put with Hanoi.


Anyway, more pics of the vacation...
Some things to see in the city.

Vincom Tower bridge

Mother and daughter

One of the temples at the Old Quarter....

The very popular sandals that i saw in all the Vietnamese houses that i had visited.

Deciding whats for dinner. 

and dinner was served.

The tourist.

The tourist guides...

Hanoians...for now.

The restaurant..

Next..the lake...