Just before we reached Luang Prabang on the third day of travel we stopped at a cave in the middle of stark black cliffs coming out of the Mekong. It had over two thousand Buddhas in a just a few little caverns. It was interesting, but I think we were all ready to get there.
And get there we did. Laos is a jewel that I didn't know existed. I had a similar experience going to the Heshimite Kingdom of Jordan (not being snooty just distinguishing it from Jordan, Utah). I knew nothing of it so everything that was good was great because I had no expectations and everything was new and exciting. Luang Prabang was a resort town when Laos was a french colony so the whole thing had a European feel to it, while remaining charmingly Asian.
This guy was so cool, he smoked the daily paper. He was standing there holding a flag of the hammer and sickle in the threshold of a travel agency. Laos is a communist country, but you'd never know it. 'Cept for this paper-smoking guy and his flag.
Our hotel was really fine and the best shower I've had my entire time here. Looking right out on the Mekong. Our schedule in Laos was so laid back and the food was good and the culture was fun and fascinating—it was a perfect way to wind down my southeast Asia experience. We spent our days seeing fantastic waterfalls and views and our nights eating great food and reminiscing on what's passed for us. You never think that when you've already been with the same group of people for 3 months that you would suddenly make new friends, but I feel like I did that in Laos and I needed that so I'm glad.
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