24th January 2025
It's been very cold in the mornings for the past month. Our north-facing tiled-floor house is lovely for being so cool most of the year but this winter we've had to wear woolies and socks before getting out from under the duvets! But now spring has arrived, the air is much warmer and the coats can go back on the hangers.
Holly found it a bit hot the last couple of days of her trip and was looking forward to getting back to Yorkshire temperatures! All being well, she's currently on the train north from Heathrow.
It's been lovely showing her round Luang Prabang and spending time with her. The cat cafe worked out well and we had two trips out of town, first on the train to Vang Vieng and then north to Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi, so she got to see a bit of the countryside.
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| Trevann and I got to sample all sorts of food and drink we'd normally pass by. |
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| First trip was to Vang Vieng with its wonderful karst landscape |
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| One of our main reasons for visiting was to see our friend Nouth for the first time in 5 years. Such a lovely soul. Her bungalows are so comfortable - but sadly a buggy station has been built over the road and spoils the peace and quiet. Dust everywhere! And the bats have left the caves in her garden |
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| Our favourite bar next to the river is no more - a building site! Poor Vang Vieng. It's become a dirty, dusty, noisy little town sadly ruined by petrolheads in buggies and activity junkies. |
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| I thought Holly might start a new career as a desert goat-herder |
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| Nouth's bungalow |
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| Hot air balloons are another "activity" |
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| We did have some lovely walks though. It is possible to get away from the noise |
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| Night-time Vang Vieng. Not as many partying backpackers here since the tragedy last year. |
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| Next week we took the bus north to the beautiful river town of Nong Khiaw. Chinese and Korean tourists don't come here so it's much quieter. Holly and Eet, the owner of our guest house, shared their love of crochet. The shelves here were full of flowers made by Eet |
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| Mountains and river make Nong Khiaw picture perfect. |
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| It's one of our favourite places. I'd like to visit in green season. Unfortunately the road from LPb to NK is a nightmare. Four hours in a minivan along roads full of potholes and big trucks! |
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| After two nights in Nong Khiaw we took the riverboat for an hour upriver to Muang Ngoi, a tiny village of just one street. |
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| We were hesitating to cross this wobbly bridge until an elderly Lao woman blithely skipped across |
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| The view from our bungalow was stunning |
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| But it was cold! Jackets, thermals and scarves needed |
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| On the boat back to NK, Trevann and I struck lucky and bagged two of the six comfortable seats at the front. |
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| Holly was on the wooden bench at the back |
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| Kayaking is popular on the Nam Ou |
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| Back in Luang Prabang we did the big temple, Xieng Thong. A sarong was needed to cover Holly's knees. |
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