Temples and Tours

Temples and Tours…

3 days on a moped, 3 days on roads with asphalt, potholes, gravel – I don't know how many times Thomas shouted 'Attention' during the ride, so I'd be prepared for the bumps. Dust in every little fold, on my face and in my clothes. The roads branching off from the main route are mostly unpaved, dirt tracks, which are not an option for us with a 125cc moped. But, the landscapes are breathtaking – we know someone who loved it and will always love traveling through the country by motorcycle. We totally understand that, just the thought is fantastic, unfortunately, we lack the driver’s license for it. For miles, only hills, mountains, jungle, and scenery. Simple places and temples in between, little traffic. Sometimes a stretch with trucks, we are on one of the main routes, the new Silk Road, from China to Singapore. In fact, we had a tire puncture on a gravel stretch, the next workshop was 2 km away, uphill – but friendly people drove us and our moped to the next workshop, where competent repairs were made, and we continued on. To the next waterfall, to the next temple, to the next place. The journey is the destination!

The multitude of temple complexes, some beautifully restored, others simple and aged, are a natural part of the cityscape as well as the landscape. Everywhere, open, colorful, alive. We keep seeing monks of all ages, praying, sweeping, learning, painting, working, building, concreting, washing, smoking a cigarette or checking their phones. Whether in the city or the countryside.

In between, an elephant facility, ready for tourists to ride. Predominantly Chinese tourists, enthusiastically discovering their neighboring country Laos in groups. China has built a high-speed rail line from Kunming to Vientiane, the capital. From Luang Prabang, it's 160 km/h to the Chinese border in just 2 hours.

In Luang Prabang, the old royal palace has been converted into a national museum, but there is also the 'Royal Ballet Luang Prabang', which performs a story of the Ramayana in an elegant theater hall.

As already mentioned, we had such little idea about Laos; we like it so much, and we will make the most of the 30-day visa. Kindness, relaxation, beautiful landscapes, and some adventures will accompany us 😊