Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfalls

Another stop on the tourist circuit from Luang Prabang are the waterfalls of Kuang Si about 45 min drive along country roads. Here a tributary to the Mekong descends in three tiers over a height of nearly 80 m down into several beautiful small pools where swimming is possible. The typical turquoise colour comes from the calciferous rocky underground. The lush tropical forest surrounding the water falls contribute to the fairy-tale atmosphere of the place.  

There is a path up to the top on both sides of the waterfall. We went up on the right hand side, a very steep and slippery climb, sometimes on hands and knees ... we were hoping, we would not have to come down the same path. 

On top, the view was a bit disappointing: 

don't go near the fence ...

although some people do.... 

The way down on the left hand side was easier, in meandering serpentines and partly constructed with wooden steps. 

The Caves of Pak Ou on the Mekong, Laos

The Mekong provides the livelihood for very many families in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. An interesting essay in the "Economist" (Febr. 13, 2016 http://www.economist.com/news/essays/21689225-can-one-world-s-great-waterways-survive-its-development) highlights the problems of this river whose spring is across the border in the Chinese mountains north of Laos. 

From Luang Prabang it is a short boat ride upstream to the caves of Pak Ou on the steep banks of the Mekong river. Pak Ou has been a worshipping site for centuries. 

The caves consist of two accessible rooms, one hidden up on the mountainside and one visible from the boat. Both are decorated with a multitude of Buddha statues. 

lower cave

                  

  The upper cave is very dark but well worth the climb.

On the way to the caves, tourist boats routinely stop at a place called "whiskey village". Here, locals create their own rather gruesome concoctions involving dried scorpions and small cobras supposed to help predominantly the male half of the human race ... no one wanted to try . 

Luang Prabang - the Golden Wats

At the foot of Mount Phousi lies the National Museum in the former Royal Palace where the Laotian Royal family lived until 1975.

Three-headed elephants and the cobra symbols , same as in neighboring Cambodia, in Angkor Wat.

the royal gas station, out of order since 1975

Luang Prabang has many temples called Wats. Most are elaborately decorated with gold leaf, mosaics and carvings and house Buddha statues.  The large and beautiful Wat Mai is next to the National Museum. 

Wat Mai is centrally located and can be entered from the Night Market Road in the evening to watch and listen to the monks chanting. It is decorated with hundreds of Buddha statues.  

a beloved head monk in gold

There were 20 Wats on our map. Slowly wandering through the streets of the town, one comes across many more small temples in hidden corners. The town occupies a small area, easily negotiably on foot, probably no more than a square kilometer. 

Buddha can be female.

                                               Under the golden ashoka tree 

a depiction of hell ...

the Tree of Life

A couple in formal wedding dress paid their homage at a temple.

Luang Prabang is famous for its alms giving ceremony. Early in the morning at 5.30 a.m. the monks leave the monasteries to go out and collect alms. They walk through the streets silently - watched and photographed by hordes of tourists like myself - and collect their breakfast and lunch in large bowls. Locals, but also many tourists, sit on the sidewalks with little bits of sticky rice and other stuff, that they place in the proffered bowls. It is a strange custom - imagine you have to eat bits of cold sticky rice that dozens of hands have touched. I have seen Chinese tourists putting small parcels still wrapped in plastic with instant noodle soup into the bowls...