Laung Prabang, Laos

One night at dinner, Jonas, a Swede pulled up a chair to our table for a chat. He was on a trip with four days scheduled in Laung Prabang; that was 3 years ago. He now proudly manages three hotels in Laung Prabang and loves it.

Jonas did what I suspect many travelers fantasize about when arriving here. I didn't go as far as Jonas, but within a few hours of arrival I told Sarah that I could definitely live here for a few months. Maybe someday...

Laung Prabang has a population of 55,000 and was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1995. I'm not a "charmy" kind of guy, but this place oozes charm like no place we've ever been. The town is surround by the Mekong River and Nam Kahn River. The hangover from the French Colonial period means beautiful architecture and cafes.

Mekong River views.

4 Days in Laung Prabang

We had two memorable excursions (Rice Farm Visit & Volunteering at a Local School) during our time in the city. The rest of the time we:

• Wandered the streets

• Ate great food

• School was in session

• Enjoyed non-instant coffee!

• Evening drink with Shilpa & Trace, who we met on our slow boat trip

• Paige & Sadie had a bagel with cream cheese!

• Got out for runs

• Hiked up Phousi Hill for views across the city

• Played tag and pass at a local park

• Walked across the bamboo bridge

• Visited a couple Wats (temples)

Lots of monks wandering in LP.

Hiking up Phousi Hill to see the views.

The top of Phousi Hill.

The bamboo bridge.

The bamboo bridge is rebuilt every year. It can't withstand the rising river during the rainy season.

No traffic jam today.

This was the first place that we saw images of Christmas consistently. We were generally surprised that the decorations were thoughtful, classy and artsy.

Cook your own hotpot dinner overlooking the river. The girls loved cooking themselves over the hot coals.

Riverweed...a local delicacy we couldn't get enough of. That Trader Joe's seaweed just won't be as good anymore ;)

The girls asked if they could eat lunch at their own table. Eggroll and noodle lettuce wraps...feeding these two for about $2 USD.

School time at a local cafe with good wifi.

Stopping for some fresh coconut juice and scooping out the meat.

Grabbing a drink with slow boat shipmates Shilpa & Trace above the Mekong River. The second shot was an Instragram fun shot.

P&S became smitten with this 8th month old, the son of the owners of the small hotel we stayed in. That's Sadie on the deck outside our room.

They also had fun with the family dog.

Playing some "Mekong Catch" at Riverview park.

Goodbye Luang Prabang, we will return!