Escape to the serene tranquility of Luang Prabang (2 nights, 3 days, 5,000 baht including tickets) and embrace the essence of slow living.

Live life to the fullest...

Hello everyone! This trip is to Luang Prabang, traveling with Air Asia as usual. I got a round-trip promotion for 2,200 baht per person. It's amazing! For the trip, we walked for 3 days and 2 nights. We flew in the afternoon of November 20th and flew back in the evening of November 22nd, 2018.

Fill out the immigration form on the plane. After passing through immigration at Luang Prabang Airport, the first thing to do is exchange money. 1 baht is equal to 267 kip (you can use Thai baht, Lao kip, or US dollars). The time is the same as in Thailand, so there is no need to adjust. If you need to buy a SIM card, you can do so at the exit. It is cheaper than at the baggage claim area.

Our main expenses were:

- Tickets: 2,200 baht per person

- Accommodation for the first night (MaKong Sunset Guest House): 24 USD / approximately 792 baht for 2 people, excluding breakfast

- Accommodation for the second night (Saynamkhan): 41 USD / approximately 1,353 baht for 2 people, excluding breakfast

We exchanged kip at the Lao airport. We exchanged 3,000 baht each and received a total of 1,602,000.00 kip. We also brought some Thai baht with us.

From the airport to our accommodation, we took a van taxi. It cost 50,000 kip for 3 people (we happened to meet a Thai person who arrived on the same flight, so we shared the cost with them). They dropped us off right at our accommodation.

We stayed at MaKong Sunset Guest House on the 2nd floor. Our room had a balcony with a fantastic view. There was a constant cool breeze, and most importantly, it was incredibly quiet. Even though there were many restaurants, pubs, bars, and cafes along the Mekong River, it was surprisingly peaceful.

The accommodation faces the Mekong River, where you can watch the sun set over the horizon, just like from the top of Phu Si Mountain (I couldn't climb the mountain today, so I chose to watch it from the accommodation).

We packed our bags and headed up to the black market. Before reaching the market, we stumbled upon a delicious rice porridge shop. The foreigners couldn't resist and gulped down the porridge with gusto.

Full, continue the journey

The black market is just a short walk away. It's not far.

We stumbled upon the landmark while walking... This is the image that appears on the poster.

Luang Prabang at night is stunningly beautiful.

Walking around... Oh, the things they sell are just like the ones on Tha Pae Walking Street! 5555+++ But they are still unique and beautiful. The prices are not expensive either, only 20 baht for a coin purse, the same as Sapa.

P.S. I really like this necklace. It costs 500 baht and they won't budge on the price.

We walked halfway and turned back because we wanted to try the papaya salad next to the Indigo Hotel. They said it was delicious.

In summary, the food was incredibly delicious and flavorful. We ordered the dish with the full spice level, and it was truly satisfying. The grilled fish was perfectly cooked and had a wonderful texture, with no earthy aftertaste. The chicken wings were also delicious, and the sticky rice was the perfect accompaniment. Overall, an unforgettable dining experience.

You are full, so you can go back to rest. Because tomorrow you have to wake up early to offer sticky rice to the monks. (It is recommended to wake up at 4:00 AM because the monks come to collect alms very early.) We woke up at 5:00 AM and it was not early enough.

Good morning, day two in Luang Prabang.

After offering food to the monks, I took a walk through the morning market. (The fog was very thick, and the air was cool and refreshing.)

We walked until we came across Prachaniyom Cafe by the Mekong River.

After finishing breakfast, we quickly packed our belongings and checked out of the hotel. We had scheduled a three-wheeled taxi to pick us up and take us to Tad Kwang Si Waterfall at 10:00 AM. The taxi fare was 180,000 kip for two people, which is approximately 600 Thai baht. The driver offered to take us to Tad Sae Waterfall as well, but we declined and opted to visit only Tad Kwang Si and explore the city. The taxi was new and in good condition, and the driver was polite.

The distance from the city to the waterfall is approximately 30 kilometers, taking about 1 hour. The road is mountainous with uphill and downhill sections, offering scenic views.

We arrived at Tad Kwang Si Falls, our dream destination, just after 11 am. The entrance fee is 20,000 kip per person.

A short walk will lead you to the bear enclosure.

A short walk further, we stumbled upon a small waterfall. The water was an incredibly vibrant blue, leaving us speechless with awe.

I can't take it anymore... My heart wants to jump out! Why is the sky so beautiful?

A short walk further, you will find something like this...

Magnificent! I have finally arrived in Luang Prabang!

Goodbye, blue and green water!

After the waterfall, we hired a car to take us to check in at Sai Nam Khan. Then, we had lunch at Jeh Tim's restaurant, followed by coffee at Joma's shop.

Next stop, Jeh Tim's restaurant... Let's try Luang Prabang papaya salad and see how spicy it is.

Overall, this restaurant is a 10/10! The papaya salad is incredibly flavorful, the sausages are delicious, the fermented pork is even better, and the rice is perfect. I highly recommend it!

However, the iced coffee at Joe's was a bit weak and disappointing.

4:30 p.m. Prepare to climb to the top of Phra That Phu Si. I heard there are only three hundred steps... 555++ I'm going to be exhausted.

Exhausted... panting... because I'm old. It took almost half an hour to get here, but as soon as I arrived, my fatigue vanished. The view is breathtaking.

Look at the view, isn't it beautiful?

Sunset Pose Collection (With Permission)

This collection features various poses captured during sunset. Please note that permission has been obtained from the individuals pictured.

Note: Due to the long queue, it was challenging to come up with poses on the spot.

As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a romantic glow, the beauty is truly breathtaking. The light is simply stunning.

Head down and continue shopping for souvenirs at the black market.

Check out the beautiful hand-woven fabrics at the Out Phab Tok market.

Walking around, feeling hungry… I heard that the Lao salad at Tumnark Lao Restaurant is very delicious… Let's stop by. We're here, we have to try it.

Full, you can walk back to the Khan River. Take a leisurely stroll in the cool air... It's so relaxing.

The atmosphere in front of the accommodation at night, opposite is the Mekong River (sleeping 2 nights, 2 places, 2 atmospheres). We did not cross this bamboo bridge.

On the third morning, the last day, I planned to take photos of the monks' alms-giving ceremony, but I overslept. All I got was a view of the faint mist.

After taking photos, I rushed to take a shower and pack my things. Today, we will be walking around the city... The first stop is Wat Xieng Thong, which is another one of my dream destinations. But first, let's find some breakfast. As we walked, we came across a shop selling khao piak, khao soi, and pho next to Wat Saen. We stopped by...

After a delicious meal and a refreshing cup of coffee, it's time to visit the magnificent Wat Chiang Thong.

**Luang Prabang** is located in northern Laos and was once the capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The official currency is the Lao kip, with an exchange rate of approximately 250 kip to 1 Thai baht. However, Thai baht is widely accepted. Thai citizens can enter Luang Prabang without a visa.

Wat Xieng Thong

Wat Xieng Thong (Lao: ວັດຊຽງທອງ, Wat Xieng Thong) is a temple in Luang Prabang, Laos. Built in 1560 by King Setthathirath, it is located near the Mekong River. The temple is renowned for its exquisite Lan Xang architecture, earning it the title of "Jewel of Lan Xang Art".

The Exquisitely Carved Mieng Kos

The Mieng Kos, a structure built in 1961, served as a repository for the royal carriage used to transport the urn of King Sri Savang Vong. Its exterior boasts intricate wood carvings, a testament to the masterful craftsmanship of "Piatan" (Phraya Tan), a renowned Laotian artisan.

Upon closer inspection, one can appreciate the intricate details of Pietan's masterful woodcarvings. The door panels depict a dynamic and powerful image of Sita walking through fire, while the first window panel (on the left) showcases a dreamlike scene of Ravana indulging in sexual pleasure before his death. Numerous other exquisite carvings adorn the structure, leading many observers to believe that Pietan not only carved the wood but also "scooped" it out to create the intricate patterns we see today.

Upon entering the Phra Meru Mas, one is greeted by a magnificent golden chariot, intricately carved from wood. The chariot's grandeur is accentuated by the five serpent heads, gracefully extending from its front, exuding an aura of both awe and solemnity.

Exquisitely beautiful, a sight to behold.

After spending some time at Wat Xieng Thong, we decided to leave as the morning progressed and more tour groups arrived, filling the temple with people. On our way back, we stopped to briefly view a photography exhibition.

As I walked along, I came across the beautiful Wat Phra Bang. It is stunning both day and night, especially when bathed in sunlight.

We're heading back today at 3:50 PM. There's still a little time to grab a Saffron Lao Coffee Latte and Utop.

After resting, we checked out and walked to Utopia. On the way back to the airport, we asked the hotel to call a van for us. It cost 50,000 kip again, but we were only two people... In the end, we used up all the kip we had exchanged. We also used some Thai baht, about 300-500 baht.

Arrived at the airport at 2 pm. Still have time to sit and wait for the flight back to Thailand. ... Note: Attached a picture taken from above the plane for you to see. It's so beautiful. The mountains are high, the hills are green, the city is huge. I love this city so much. No wonder why everyone wants to come here. What they say about slow life, I understand now. This city is truly slow-paced and beautiful.

"The camera may not capture all the beauty, but the heart has recorded this perfect beauty clearly."

This city is definitely worth a repeat visit.

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