Pak Beng to Luang Prabang, Laos

Our route today-

Sunrise at Pakbeng-

Seating in a cheap boat!  I’m glad I went with Nagi Tours-

There are huge beaches in front of many villages-

Along the way- same same-

The driver has to be careful because of the rocks lining the river-

There are lots of villages-

Markers to determine the water depth.  In rainy season the Mekong is a lot higher-

Sluicing for gold-

There is a train bridge coming from China and going south through Laos.  I’ll take the train to Vang Vieng in a few days-

The dam for hydro electric power was started before Covid and should be finished in a couple years-

We stopped at the Pak Ou Cave.  In the lower cave there are 2500 Buddha sculptures-

There’s more of the same in the upper cave-

The view from the upper cave-

We stopped at a village where they make rice wine from purple rice which tasted like vinegar.  They also make wine from white rice and it was a bit better.  Their third drink is a clear 50% alcohol rotgut.  They sell pickled snakes and insects in it-

There are also a lot of textile vendors.  I bought a black silk scarf for $5-

A beautiful caladium-

Once we arrived at Luang Prabang we were met by taxis who took us to our accommodation.  I told the porter to grab the purple bag and did not pay attention.  Luckily the owner of that purple bag was also going in the same van as me!  What a disaster that would’ve been!

I’m staying at the Aloha Luang Prabang for 4 nights-

It’s a hostel but each room is completely enclosed-

It looks a bit like a coffin but I’m hoping for a good sleep!  Once settled, I meandered and a block from where I’m staying is a walking street with gorgeous lights-

I decided to eat there and sat under the lights.  I am in many pictures as so many people took pictures of me, or was it the lights?  I had a bacon pizza which was good but forgot that the rest of the world’s bacon isn’t quite like ours-

Tomorrow I may rest or explore and see if I can change to a coffin with a window.  My arm is gradually getting better.  I’m done my pain medication; I’m not sure it helped much and I may try just Tylenol and Advil to see if that does anything.  My arm aches and my pain would be about a 2 out of 10 which isn’t bad, just annoying.  The swelling is gradually disappearing too so I’m on the mend!