Luang Prabang / Nov30-Dec01

Our hotel has a very south east Asia colonial feel

Tour time!
'Load them up and move'm out'

Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its history and numerous temples.  More Buddhas!

This panel depicts what awaits you in hell, including having you tongues pulled out, being cut in half, eaten by wild animals and the ever popular the vat of boiling oil.

There is a dragon boat type races (minus the dragon) every year when all the temples enter their boats.  'We are temple number one, yay!'

There is a temple on top of a small mountain in Luang Prabang and of course we have to climb it.

One of the highlights is the procession of monks early in the (rainy) morning collecting their meal.

What the monks are otherwise doing

Luang Prabang is also known for the other religous experience: shopping!
The night market covers a street for blocks.  Every day about 4PM the vendors bring their goods and stalls and take them away every night.

Here are some savvy shoppers negotiating a deal.

Stuff and more stuff

For the cutural side we attended the Luang Prabang Ballet.  Something involving people becoming deer, magic rings and circles and a monkey dance!

The next day we head out on another day trip.
First stop, a Hmong village.  The Hmong usually live high in the hills but this group has been moved down to the low lands.  The other main groups are the Lao (majority, live in the low lands) and the Khmou (mid lands).

'Two dollars'

Next village was Lao who were demonstrating cotton processing.

And for something different, a Bear rescue center.

And lastly, a jungle waterfall

with many pools and cascades

Finally, for the hard core drinker