Here…Luang Prabang.

Where should I begin to tell the story?

Luang Prabang is brimming with indelible memories.

Let's start with the journey.

This trip is operated by Bangkok Airways.

I'd like to eat sticky rice with pork. It sounds reasonable.

Bangkok Airways operates two flights daily.

There are morning and afternoon flights for the outbound journey, and midday and evening flights for the return journey.

Please note that the times may not be exact for each period. You can check the exact times here:

http://www.bangkokair.com/eng

The journey takes only 1 hour and 10 minutes.

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We will depart on flight 14:25 and return on flight 16:40.

While waiting to board the plane, I sat down to eat some sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves.

The food on board was average. Don't ask if it was delicious. 555
Bangkok Airways often has promotions for Luang Prabang. Check it out.

Our trip was spontaneous, so we didn't get any promotional tickets.

While not exactly cheap, it is still more affordable compared to previous times.

The round-trip ticket for the two of us cost around 14,000 baht. I don't remember the exact amount.

Upon arrival at Luang Prabang Airport

Simply walk through the channel for Thai citizens. It will be done in a moment, and you will pass through comfortably.
#exchange rate

One Thai baht is roughly equivalent to 250 Lao kip, although the exact exchange rate may fluctuate.

You can exchange Lao kip or use Thai baht directly.

(Change will be given in Lao Kip.)

How to get from the airport to the city

A van will be provided to transport you to your desired hotel.

Tickets can be purchased at the airport counter.

Price per person: 25,000 kip

#Food

Similar to our home country, there are countless delicious restaurants here.

However, this time the food tasted bland, probably because there were more tourists.

To cater to international palates, the food is not as spicy as it used to be (or is it?). Let's see how the first day goes.

Upon arrival, we were transported by van directly to our accommodation.

We stayed at the Nam Khan Riverview, located on the banks of the Nam Khan River. We booked directly through the hotel's website.

Here it is:

A link to a Facebook media set.

The price for two nights is around two thousand baht, but I'm not sure exactly how much.

The person who went with me made the reservation and paid. 5555.

Luang Prabang has a wide variety of accommodations.

No need to book in advance, we think. Just come and find it.

Accommodation options range from budget guesthouses costing 400-500 baht to luxury hotels priced in the tens of thousands.

The Gatehouse is surprisingly affordable, with prices starting from just a few hundred baht.

We stayed here before, and the price was around 400 or 500 baht.

Air-conditioned room, spacious accommodation, private bathroom, spotlessly clean.

Let's take a look at the room.

The Khon Kaen River Hotel is a renovated historic building.

The lower level houses restaurants and some guest rooms, while the upper level is dedicated entirely to guest rooms.

Rooms like this

Approximately 1,000 baht per night with breakfast for two people.

The interior of the room is standard, similar to what you would find in a typical home in our country.

Clean, comfortable, with general amenities.

Towels, shower gel, shampoo, and a hot water kettle are provided. Please note that a hairdryer is not available.

The surrounding view is like this.

For breakfast, you can choose between Western or local cuisine.

Our breakfast was simple, consisting of porridge, eggs, bread, fruit, and coffee. We enjoyed watching people go by as we ate. On the first day, we had breakfast at the hotel, but on the following days, we ate out.

Checked into the accommodation and rested for a while before going out for dinner.
It seems that there are more restaurants than the last time I was here.
I used to eat at Saeng Dao Sai Nam Khan, but I couldn't find it this time. I don't know if it's closed down.
So I came to eat at Tumnak Lao instead.
Tumnak Lao is located on the main road where people walk around.
It's opposite the Santi Villa Hotel.

This is a freshwater algae that I really like. It's delicious.

The other dishes were similar to typical Thai home-cooked meals and tasted good.

After finishing their meal, they took a walk to aid digestion, admiring the various shops and the black market.

There are many bars and restaurants that stay open late, from midday until late at night.

However, believe it or not, there wasn't a single sound.

Every shop is packed with tourists, but most of them are sitting quietly, talking softly.

Accompanied by the soft and gentle sounds of music.

Some people quietly sip their alcohol while reading a book.

# On the dark market

The literal meaning of "ตลาดมืด" is "night market".

It is not an illegal marketplace.

The majority of products are everyday household items, with a focus on textile products.

Beautifully woven and embroidered fabrics at reasonable prices.

This seems popular, but we haven't tried it ourselves.

It must be a mixed fruit smoothie.
Alright, let's go back to sleep. It's the early morning of the second day.

I woke up late today, almost 6 am. I rushed to put on my robe and go out to offer food to the monks.

"I'm sorry, but it's too late. The market is closed and the monks have all gone back."

Don't worry, you can take photos while walking around.

This city is usually quiet and peaceful.

Despite the large number of tourists, the place still retains its peaceful and beautiful atmosphere.

The summer air is still pleasantly cool.

Strolling through the city, capturing the essence of its people and their way of life.

Stop by the museum, which is located directly opposite Wat Phou Si. I have visited the interior before, so this time I will just walk around outside. It is still very early, so it is not open yet. There are no people yet, so taking pictures quietly is a joy. The museum was originally a royal palace. #The history of this museum was built in 1904 during the reign of King Sisavang Vong. It was passed down to King Sisavang Vatthana, the last king of Laos. After the change of government, or what the Lao people call the "liberation," the Lao government changed the Royal Palace into a "museum." Admission is 30,000 kip. Tourists must dress modestly and are strictly forbidden from taking pictures inside the museum.

This section of the building is the Ho Phra Bang, which houses the Phra Bang Buddha statue. During the Lao New Year, which falls around the same time as Songkran in Thailand, there is a procession of the Phra Bang. This allows local residents the opportunity to bathe the statue with water. During my previous visit, I also had the chance to participate in this ritual.

After a short walk, we decided to return to our accommodation for breakfast. On the way back, we arranged for a taxi to pick us up at the hotel around 9:00 AM to visit Tad Kwang Si.

Taxis are readily available, and prices are negotiable. Most drivers are honest and don't overcharge excessively. We agreed on a price of 900 baht for a private car.

Alternatively, the hotel can arrange transportation for a lower price, as you would share the ride with other guests. The estimated cost would be around 200 baht per person.

However, we opted for the convenience of a private car.

The car is about this size.

The car has arrived. Let's go to the waterfall.

The deer's eyes are so beautiful, it's heartwarming.

It is said to be the most beautiful waterfall in Luang Prabang. Whether this is true or not, we cannot say for sure, as we have not visited any other waterfalls in Luang Prabang.

The journey took about an hour by taxi. The destination was surprisingly clean and tidy. It was a stark contrast to the previous visit, which was cluttered and messy. Even the parking lot looked impressive this time around.

The parking lot has many shops.

Both food and souvenirs are clean and well-organized.

The restaurants are all inviting and the food looks delicious.

Waterfall Entrance Fee

20,000 kip each, which is 80 baht.

After passing through the entrance, let's see the bears first.

This will also house a bear conservation center, which will care for rescued bears.

All bears will receive care, both physical and mental.

And live happily ever after in this place.

Please support his products. It will help contribute to the fund to help the bears.

Or you can donate to the donation box.

This one is missing a front paw.

Rest assured, the spacious area allows the bears to roam freely and appear content.

Okay, let's go see the waterfall. Along the way, there are small stalls selling snacks and souvenirs. It's quite charming. It's clean and tidy, even though we're sitting on the ground.

The turquoise color of the Emerald Pool is attributed to the limestone bedrock, which filters the water and gives it a stunning blue hue.

Enjoy the pictures!
The deer are walking leisurely, no need to climb anything.
Take a walk and enjoy the birds, the trees, the waterfall, or just sit still and let your mind wander with the flowing water. It's a delightful and relaxing experience.

This is the top floor.
It is recommended to come early in the morning, as there are not many people.
Because from noon onwards, the number of people increases steadily.

The water level is quite low, but it is still beautiful.

We love the clean and bright deer eyes.
There is no garbage around the area. There is a restaurant in the waterfall itself.
But it looks tidy and orderly, there is no sitting and drinking, knocking glasses, knocking bottles, no fuss at all.
The ground and grass are very clean.

Secretly in love with the trash can.
Feeling happy and satisfied, it's time to go home. I'm starting to get hungry.

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And more and more people are coming back to the city to find something to eat.

After returning to the city center, we stopped for a light bite to eat. Feeling hungry and lazy to search for a restaurant, we decided to visit the new Joma branch by the Khan River, which was conveniently located near our accommodation. Joma is a well-known establishment among tourists, perhaps due to its long-standing presence as one of the first cafes in Luang Prabang. Previously, there was only one branch located near the post office, but now they have opened another branch by the Khan River.

This field doesn't seem to have many people.

Joma is known for its cakes, but I don't like to eat cakes, so I didn't order any. I only ordered this. As for the drinks, I don't think the taste is very good.

I can't remember the name of the dish, but it was delicious and huge. It was so big that two people could easily share it.

The price is quite high. In total, it's almost 700 Thai baht.

Note: The Wi-Fi at Joe's Bar is extremely slow and unreliable.

Relax and enjoy the air conditioning, then continue walking to Wat Xieng Thong.

Located at the confluence of the Mekong and Kaeng Rivers.

Entrance fee: 20,000 kip

Wat Xieng Thong is a must-see highlight of Luang Prabang.

Exquisitely beautiful.

The temple's atmosphere is serene and tranquil.

Tourists visited steadily, including tour groups, but there was no noise.

P.S. If you descend the stairs to the other side of the temple gate, you will reach the Mekong River.

Let's continue exploring the city.

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Luang Prabang is a tranquil city.
Despite the influx of tourists, it has managed to retain its serenity remarkably well.
Some say that Luang Prabang has lost its soul, but we disagree. Luang Prabang remains true to its essence, maintaining its peaceful tranquility.

We enjoyed walking, strolling through the various alleys.
There are actually bicycles available for rent, which can be found at shops along the roadside.
Alternatively, you can inquire at your hotel, as most of them offer bicycle rentals.
However, we preferred walking.

Temples are so densely packed that one could practically step out of one and into another.

There are also many shops and stalls.
After walking around until almost five o'clock in the evening, it was time to go up to Phra That Phu Si to wait for the sunset.

The Phra That Pu Si is located directly opposite the museum.
Before going up there, I would like to stop by this small temple first.
The last time I was here, I didn't stop by or even notice its existence.
But this time, the person next to me said that we should stop by and take a look.

"Hawg Forest Monastery"

It is believed that this temple was built by King Rama V of Thailand. It is located on the way up to Phousi Mountain. You will see a single church building standing alone, with no other buildings around. This church houses the only mural painting in Luang Prabang. At the base of the Buddha statue in the church, there is a sign that reads: "This temple was built by King Rama V of Thailand." We later researched the mural painting and found that it was influenced by the Rattanakosin period. This place is quite dilapidated and deserted, as not many people know about it. Although all tourists who climb Phousi Mountain must pass by this church, no one seems to notice it, so no one stops by. If you visit Luang Prabang, please stop by and take a look. Please donate a small amount of money to the donation box so that they will have funds to maintain and repair the temple. This way, the ancient site will be preserved for future generations.

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Ascending Mount Phousi for Sunset

As the sun begins its descent, casting long shadows across Luang Prabang, a steady stream of visitors makes their way up the 328 steps leading to the summit of Mount Phousi. This sacred hill, crowned by the glistening stupa of That Phousi, offers panoramic views of the city and its surroundings, making it a popular spot to witness the breathtaking spectacle of the setting sun.

Two paths lead to the summit: one ascending from the front, opposite the Luang Prabang National Museum, and the other winding up from the back, adjacent to the Khan River. We opted for the frontal approach, embracing the challenge of the climb.

From the top of Phousi Hill, one can see the entire city of Luang Prabang, including the Mekong and Khan Rivers.

Phra That Phu Si

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

The bank of the Khan River

City

The Mekong River's bank.

This is a beautiful spot to watch the sunset. It is recommended to arrive before 5 pm to secure a good spot for photography, as it can get very crowded, especially closer to 6 pm.

Watching the sun set here is a special experience. As the sun slowly dips below the horizon, everyone falls silent. Only the faintest whispers can be heard.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, a thunderous applause erupted.
We exchanged smiles with the person beside us.
We had witnessed countless sunsets together.

There is no place where we feel as special and romantic as here.

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Phra That Phu Si is open daily, all day long.

The entrance fee is 20,000 kip per person.

Or approximately 80 baht

Filled with joy, they returned to their lodgings and went to bed early, determined to wake up in time for the alms offering the next day.

I arrived before dawn today and found many people already waiting for the monks.

Monks begin their alms rounds shortly after five in the morning.

Each temple will walk in a long line along different paths.

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The alms offering here consists of sticky rice, milk and butter pastries, and dry goods.

Villagers would bring the rice portion to the temple themselves.

At this point, those who came to offer alms waited to offer alms, and those who came to take pictures waited to take pictures.

A minor commotion ensued, causing some amusement.

Luang Prabang's alms-giving ceremony is arguably the highlight of the city.

At dawn, a multitude of people, both locals and tourists, gather to offer alms to the monks.

Including a large number of people who came to take pictures.

Is it chaotic? There is some, but from what I've seen,

There is no issue of people pointing cameras at monks.

The alms offering here is swift and efficient.

The monks walked briskly to receive alms, without stopping.

The line will continue to flow.

A wide variety of goods were offered for sale by vendors.

Choose the one you like, the prices are similar.

You can let the vendor arrange your seating. After purchasing from them, they will provide seating assistance.

And...in addition to people waiting to offer alms, people waiting to take pictures.

Along the route where the monks would walk, young children or the poor would place baskets and buckets at various points.

So that the monks could put their food and offerings in those baskets

Sharing with the underprivileged.

Here, we do not see monks or disciples carrying sacks of goods back to the temple.

As the alms bowl of the monk began to fill, he would generously share the offerings with the less fortunate.

The morning alms offering seemed more chaotic than the previous time.

This time, it seems to be fairly well organized.

Silent, beautiful as it should be.

After the fulfilling merit-making ceremony, let's find a delicious breakfast to fill our stomachs.

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This morning, we didn't eat breakfast at the hotel. We went to the same restaurant we ate at last time. We were in Luang Prabang for four or five days, and we walked to this restaurant every day. Most reviews recommend the Prachaniyom restaurant, but we never went there. We like this restaurant, but I don't remember the name. It's a restaurant on the side of the road.

The red umbrella is right at this intersection, diagonally across from the Star coffee shop.

Enjoying the meal while observing the way of life of the people. It was a delightful experience.

After a satisfying meal, we walked back to our accommodation. On the way, we stopped by the Khan River to see what was on the other side.

It is a very quiet and peaceful village.

Tourists must pay a fee of 25 baht per person to cross this bridge.

Emerged on the other side

Translation:

It's a simple, homely atmosphere that we really enjoy.

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After a relaxing nap, it's time to check out. Our flight back isn't until almost 5 pm, so we might as well grab a bite to eat before heading to the airport. We saw a few restaurants that looked nice and relaxing on our way over.

After checking out at noon, I left my luggage at the counter and went to the famous restaurant.

The name of the shop, "Yen Sabai," lives up to its name, offering a cool and comfortable atmosphere.

This restaurant is so good, you won't just want to sit and eat, you'll want to stay and sleep here.

Amidst the verdant foliage, tables were arranged in cozy alcoves, inviting guests to recline and revel in the tranquil ambiance.

A delightful corner to sit and watch people stroll along the riverside.

The food is decent.

The Luang Prabang salad is incredibly delicious.

Don't order coffee, it's terrible. 555
Sit, lie down, and eat snacks.

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere while reading.

A group of Japanese tourists were seen sleeping soundly after finishing their meal, enjoying the cool breeze.

Translation:

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It's time to cross back.

Arrange for the school to call a car to take you to the airport. Check in with plenty of time to spare, then sit down and enjoy a bowl of rice porridge while taking in the view of the airport.

Goodbye, Luang Prabang

I had a wonderful time visiting you.

I will come again, and again, and again.

This concludes the review. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to read.