Finding Love in Luang Prabang

Put off by the arduous sleeper buses through Vietnam, we opted for a short flight to Laos to avoid enduring a 24 hour sleeper!  Budget travellers my foot, but at least we arrived at a reasonable hour, relatively stress free and relaxed.  Despite an hour and a half delay at Hanoi airport due to bad weather in Luang Prabang (Google said smoke?), we arrived to a balmy sunny day and were grateful we had opted to fly.

Immediately upon arriving in Laos we were struck by how chilled and laid back it was.  Visa and passport control were quick and painless and taxi chips to the city ensured you didn't get ripped off.  And thankfully, there was no (well, little!) traffic like Vietnam.  After checking out a few guesthouses we finally settled in one in a quiet street just off the main drag.  At just over ten quid a night, we thought we could do better so saved a couple of pounds moving the next day to a slightly shabbier place with a nice river view balcony.

We fell instantly in love with this city.  With minimal traffic, a spacious night market selling nice things and great street food stalls selling fruit shakes, crepes and noodles for a bargain price we just relaxed a little.  We enjoyed a beaut Mekong River sunset and a couple of great bars recommended in the LP, including one called  Utopia that was exactly that.  With cushions overlooking the river, a volleyball court for those that were that way inclined, great views, peace and good service, they had it down to a tee.

After four nights chilling out in Luang Prabang we were headed for Vang Vieng for our hotly awaited tubing extravaganza.

More pics are here