I was still on boat when the trip had been terminated nearby Luang Prabang but not directly there. For that we had to take other vehicle to transport us to the city. It took just another 15 min and then me and my friend we finally could see out destination.
The center of city is represented by small crossway in middle. Not far from there we could visit main street markets where it’s possible to buy usually typical things for tourist or local food which was quite cheap. After we arrived we were looking for some hostel for few nights. Not everything was cheap there like in Thailand but after all we found some place. For another day we had plan to visit waterfalls located 35km from Luang Prabang.
At the next day we went rent a motorcycle. But this wasn’t my idea I would definitely want to take bus or taxi but my friend convinced me that motorbike is just much better, more effective. After hesitating and convincing my friend that I never ride motorbike before, we did it anyway. He said it’s just like ride bicycle you will sit on it and that’s it… well not exactly. After my first few clumsy attempts to drive motorcycle we finally went further to our destination. It wasn’t easy at beginning, I was scared of high speed and everything looked it’s going to harm me but later I got use for it and later it was even quite fun. I couldn’t cross speed more than 60k/h because I had helmet without front cover for face so if I went faster it was very painful for my eyes and even I ate sometimes unintentionally some bugs, got little bit proteins. My friend was still ahead front of me but he always gains more speed than me until he receded completely. When I arrived at the place of waterfall I couldn’t see him so I found parking spot for motorbike paid entrance fee and continued ahead. Stepped up into woods where was some reservation for black bears, I can’t recall exactly the name but it was some endanger kind of bear in Southeast Asia, cute animals not too big in size compare with bears in Europe. Passing through this site I got closer to river nearby where were lot of people swimming, enjoying the water. The river had beautiful intense turquoise color which reminded me color sea water nearby some beaches in Thailand. We took few pictures I continued up along the river to the waterfall. The waterfall was vast at least 40 meters high up to cliff. The color of water, the nature around everything was really pleasant. I noticed that there was possibility to climb up next to waterfall. The route accessible trail had high ascent without any rail or chain you could hold on, just muddy trail. It looked dangerous but tried it to go up, met some people which went up or down by this trail. After few meter of climbing my friend came at the same point so then we continued up together. We reached top and it was amazing. The surrounding of trees, front of me was wooden trail to help you to go upon the crystal clear water which was everywhere around, flowing as river to the cliff where it ended and went down creating waterfall. At end of the wooden trail was small structure, rest point with some branches. Next to it we saw some monks and some young boys were watching one monk how he was climbing tree which was hanging above turquoise color lake. The monk climbed up far, until he disappeared in top of the troches. We were watching witch amazement how he could possibly do that. Then he suddenly came slide down above the lake and jump into water from the tree above it. My friend was immediately motived to do same thing so he climbed the tree and went to jump too. The lake area was special, small hidden paradise.
Later we came down and I returned to Luang Prabang, obviously my friend liked it there so he stayed longer. During the evening I have checked out center of the city where located main street market. With motorbike I drive around to explore the city. I was surprised by strong influence of French architecture and it was marvelous, old building, many restaurants with terraces aside, I didn’t expect something like this in Southeast Asia. I liked this the part of the city, especially area close to the river. There were lot of terraces with nice view on Mekong River.
After few days in Luang Prabang we went straight to Vang Vieng, one of the craziest and remarkable at the same time, bus ride I ever had. It was actually mini bus for not more than eight people. We went through so bad infrastructure so fast, our bus driver just pushed “pedal on the metal” as much as possible, curve or not, it this horrible conditions. Honestly I have enjoyed despite the fact that we could fall from cliff anytime. The view for other hand was really spectacular. Mountains were surrounding us from both sides and the road was built around peaks so we could see beautiful landscape. We reached Vang Vieng up to 8 hours and another new journey was ahead of us. This city was orientated more for parties and fun, relax. From one side was a river with huge mountains in background. Pity that during my visit of Laos was beginning of so called Burning season. They burn fields due to slash-and-burn agriculture system its effective for reuse fields again for mass crop production so it’s normal that during this period visibility is decreased because of high smoke in some areas. Despite this fact I was able to take incredible photos and it was still quite enjoyable.
Vang Vieng, there was something very unusual. I would describe it as some party town full of young tourist looking for fun but there was something more about it. In some restaurants you could order not only food but if you have other desires, on menu you could fin happy pizza. It’s pizza with hallucinogenic mushrooms. I didn’t try it so I can’t share the experience with you. Vang Vieng is humble city with lot of hostel, hotels and few bars. Yes, once this city was overcrowded with bars and it’s was very popular to get wasted there but due to many accidents with very high death ratio government decided to close most of the bars and the rest is under some limitations. Problem was that drunk tourist usually took river tubes, even during night and they got drown, more than 200 deaths per year. Anyway, Vang Vieng has beautiful landscapes, is surrounded by very specific mountains and lowlands. In close area there are caves and waterfalls which what was main touristic attractions. I stayed just few days in Vang Vieng, not longer.
I decided to visit Pak Ou cave which is located just 30 km from city. I went there by my own, on motorbike what wasn’t the smartest idea, which I realized later due to high danger on main roads. To approach this cave I had to go to small village first and then I took boat through Mekong straight to caves which take just 5 min. I would say that the caves wasn’t so spectacular as more the nature around and the trip there by itself. Few days later I left and took bus to last destination before go back to Chiang Mai.
Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. I spent only one night there because by my opinion, it was far the weakest point of whole the Laos journey. On Main Square is located copy of victory monument originate in Paris. Along main roads and structures you can see the communist flags everywhere. Due the fact the city wasn’t prettiest still is quite touristic full of west culture orientated café shops and restaurants. The unpleasant smog from burning crops was highly present which it made even less likeable.
At other day I took bus to Thailand then I returned to Chiang Mai where I stayed last few days. After 3 months in Thiland/Laos I was leaving. I took plane to Malaysia where had started another crazy chapter of my non planning journey around the world.
Next Kuala Lumpur!
Check out full gallery here and my newest video from Laos here