14th Day Luang Prabang

The day starts dramatically: the photographer called in sick and stays in bed. So I have to take over reporting and photo documentation at the same time, I need a vacation.

Before we start, a small correction: the Mong people originally come from China and the Khmu from Cambodia. Mistake of the editorial office, or of the editor.

We go to the departure point on the Mekong. There awaits us a motorboat par excellence; only Führer and I get on and rush off towards the Buddha cave. The journey lasts about 1 1/2 hours and leads through a very beautiful, almost untouched landscape. Untouched is good, in the last years the entire surrounding tropical tree population was cut down and the green is predominantly tall bamboo plants, but still very pleasing. Arriving at the cave, we climb steep steps up to the lower cave with about 4000 Buddha figures. Very impressive, but the Buddha cave in Pindaya, Myanmar, which we visited with us on the last trip, no comparison. Then on to the upper cave, about 200 steps. Gasping for breath, I arrive. The Buddha figures there are ancient and the cave seems much more sublime.

Then we go over to a village where rice schnapps and rice wine are produced. As a convinced teetotaler, that doesn't impress me at all.

Afterwards, an hour's drive downstream.

We drive back to the hotel, hoping to get the photographer back to work, but no luck.

So we go back to the Mekong alone and have lunch there, invited by the tour guide. Simple but good, no comparison to yesterday's pretentious French gourmet store, which set high standards for itself, but didn't meet them.

The time for rest was over and we went to visit the temples on the so-called temple street. First to the temple complex from the 16th century, which according to Führer is the most beautiful temple complex in Laos. Incredible. At the same time, it also served as a backdrop for the photos of a Laotian bridal couple. Definitely take a look at these photos in full size.

Then on to other temples, also not bad, and then to the Royal Palace.

The highlight is the ascent to the viewpoint over Luang Prabang, about 150 m high and only reachable by 328 steps, if you survive. I made it with difficulty breathing and was rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view of Luang Prabang. On the backward descent, Mr. Buddha accompanied me every step of the way.

Back at the hotel, the photographer who is halfway recovered is waiting for me.