Destinations

Luang Prabang is a city located in north central Laos, on the Mekong River. I consider myself well traveled, however, I have to admit I knew very little about Laos before my trip and I was a bit nervous that it would be underdeveloped and maybe even dangerous with unexploded land mines. I had read that the US had dropped 500 tons of high explosives for every man, woman and child on the country during the Vietnam War. Would these people be happy to see my smiling American face?

As we approached the small airstrip in Luang Prabang, we caught a glimpse of the area which is surrounded by lush green mountains and the Mekong and Khan Rivers. “Sabbai Dee”, welcome to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Luang Prabang is a small town and is easily explored on foot or bicycle. The city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 with the goal of preserving the architecture and cultural heritage of the Lao people. How can I describe such a beautiful place and such beautiful people in a short post? The Lao people are warm and friendly people who believe in a type of Buddhism in which they can reach enlightenment in one lifetime. I felt totally welcome and safe in their small town. The food is similar to Thai food with less spice and the cost is still very inexpensive for Americans. I never tired of walking through the temple grounds and watching the monks in their orange robes. I was lucky to be there for the Moon Festival where the monks were making colored paper lanterns which they would hang throughout the town, lighting each candle individually each night. Can you imagine anything more beautiful?

If you decide to explore Luang Prabang, be sure to visit the monks (women should never touch a monk) and the temples, eat at 3 Nagas and L’Elephant, hire a guide to learn about the history and the culture, take a long boat down the Mekong to the Buddha Cave, do something adventurous like an elephant trek, rent a bicycle, and learn about the Lao people and their two principle religious philosophies, Animism and Buddhism. And lastly, wake up early and give alms to the monks, as everything you give, comes back to you.