Is that a face of boredom from our Mekong long boat?
Luang Prabang.
Our destination on the Mekong, Luang Prabang, was most enjoyable. Once the madness of water fights were over we were able to explore the small city more freely, staying three nights.
Enjoying exotic meals in different restaurants with at times, different travel companions on warm evenings, spending outrageous fortunes on food, like 80,000 Kip for a Luang Prabang salad, one of the most enjoyable meal’s ever experienced, about $4 US. 🫣
During our stay, a walk to another temple beckoned, up 380 steps. The most memorable part of the walk was the view from the top in 36deg heat. The temple, insignificant to non Buddhist’s.
Fearsome warriors protecting the temple
Looking down from one temple onto another. Not the ostentation of Thai temples.
Bullet train to Vang Vieng
A 20min ride in the back of a small truck from the hotel to the Chinese built railway station to catch a Bullet train to Vang Vieng. The station building is enormous, the security, like any international airport! Our guide, Beam, was so concerned about us having small scissors or tweezers taken from us as potential lethal weapons, suggested we mail said items to our destination, the day before. Ultimately a wasted exercise, to my mind.
The train, like the station and railways system, Chinese built and run. After exiting the final security check, I looked out towards the enormously long train to not see a single familiar face or figure. A minor panic as I had not seen which carriage the group had alighted on…relieved when Beam our guide, waved ahead of me. So much for your mate having your interests at heart..:) She got the “tea pot” on reuniting! I had a similar experience many years ago, in Moscow, leaving the bus to take photos, looked back to see 30 busses all the same type and colour..:)
The train ride, only an hour long, was smooth and comfortable at 158kph max. Not the fastest we have experienced, 300kph in China some years ago. Anyway, the roads trip would have taken 10 hours! We are in the mountains.
Our chirpy guide, Beam, on the right. She’s doing a brilliant job. Maxine & Phil, an Aussie and a Pom..:)
Jen is ailing. She’s been grumpy for the last day or so. Air conditioning and tiredness no doubt contributing, so after a group meal at around 2pm we high tailed back to the hotel and Jen was in bed in minutes, exhausted and feeling very unwell.
A free day to explore.
A new day and after taking a couple of Panadol before bed, her condition has improved by morning.
Today, most of the group had taken the kayak paddling option, but having done it a few times already, opted out but joined Kathy and Phil and took a tuk tuk ride out to the Blue Lagoon No1. Not a premier destination but pleasant enough to dangle legs in the water amongst copious fish.
Feeling adventurous Kathy wanted to push the boundaries so we set off up a rocky nearly vertical climb to a cave 120m above us.
In every cave, there is a statue of Buddha and this one was no exception.
We hadn’t left the cave a minute too soon. A Chinese group were heading up the path in boisterous mood, intrigued by the old Europeans coming down. Telling us how old they were with figure gestures and looking for a response. Maybe the sign at the start of the climb had them questioning our sanity? One chap pointing to his chest “China”, my response “New Zealand”, a blank look..:)
Taking a one way tuk tuk ride meant we had to find someone to take us the approx 8k’s back. Not so easy, but Cathy managed to coerce a stall holder to take us back in their car. 50% more than our inwards ride but a bargain compared with walking it in 37deg heat!
Onwards again tomorrow. Jen will give an update for the next section.
We are seeing reports of much rain in New Zealand.
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