Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang

Saturday 16th - Monday 18th September 2017

Saturday

We arrived in Laos at around 4:30ish, sorted out currency then made our way to the hotel. As the hotels are pretty small in Luang Prabang and they can't accommodate such big groups, a few of us were moved over to their sister hotel just around the corner. We all had an included meal together, trying traditional Laos food. It was much simpler than Thai food, as Laos is a much poorer country, but on the whole still delicious! I miss my Pad Thais though! We then had a browse around the night market, and then Emma, Kelsey, Amy and I made our way to the pool in the sister hotel. I totally stacked it up the stairs which became the topic of conversation for the evening! Oh and I nearly forgot! At one point today, I was sitting on my bed and emma said 'I like your scarf, when did you get that?' And I was like wtf? I haven't bought a scarf?? Anyway long story short it was the bed runner so we died laughing at that too! 

Sunday

We had another bike tour today, but it wasn't as long as the one in Atutthaya thank goodness! It was raining so made it more bearable in the heat. We went to a big temple and had our fortunes read. We had to look at the buddhas, pick one and internally introduce ourselves before shaking a pot full of chopsticks and then pulling one at random from behind our backs. Each chopstick had a number on it to which corresponded to a number on a sheet of paper. Doua (our new local guide) translated them for us, and mine was along the lines of you life could be positive but also negative if your not careful, you haven't got a family (husband) yet and your stressing about something you haven't told anyone amongst a few other hinge I've forgotten. Not the most positive fortune! We then went and stopped at a local whiskey shop where we tried a shot made from sticky rice and fermented with dead snakes, insect and birds amongst other things. Actually wasn't that bad! We then made our way back to the hotel and had a few hours free time so we went to a place called Utopia for lunch, it was so pretty! We then went to Kuang Si waterfall and bear sanctuary. The floor was ridiculously sloppy and after my fall up the stairs yesterday I had no confidence in myself whatsoever - especially as it was raining! However I made it through (with a little help from Doua!). The big waterfall was spectacular, its monsoon season so the water levels were at their highest. It was really cool seeing the bear sanctuary too, they rescue bears that get taken into China for their bile, a few of them were injured and one had to have his arm amputated. When we got back, Nicole, Kelsey, Amy and I - and later Jason - went to big brother Mouse, which is a charity that was set up to help local young people practice their English with people who speak English as a first language. It was so cool! Kinda reminded me of China. We grabbed food at a buffet for the equivalent of £1.50! Mental! Street food is my favourite. 

Monday

The alarm went off at 4:45am as we were off to the arms giving for the monks. This happens every morning and it's basically where the local people give food and other necessities to the monks, as they have no possessions of their own and thus rely on the locals for everything. We were lucky enough to actually give food to them - normally only local people are allowed to participate! It was really cool, and definitely a unique experience I am very grateful to have been able to be a part of.