The Land of Million Elephants @ Vientiane 萬象

HOW DID I GET HERE?
In Vang Vieng, I left the villa and walked to the tour company to catch the mini van to Vientiane. Before getting on van I was able to eat my breakfast, noodle soup (15,000K).

I lost backpack rain cover few days later.

The interior of the mini van, it was by far the most comfortable trip in Laos.

I met a Chinese backpacker from ShenZhen, Yvonne. We met before in LPB and I didn't know she was going to Vientiane too. We had many topics on the way. The mini van was so comfortable till we fell asleep. After 4 hours ride, we were dropped off somewhere in town near to Talat Sao (according to map). 

We decided to share a room since the room price here is not that cheap. I know the next day she'd be going to Thailand by bus where as I'll be taking a sleeper bus to go Pakse in the late evening.

We have been searching a better condition guesthouse for hour under the hot sun. Finally we made up our mind to stay here for 1 night.

The Town of Mountain and River @ Vang Vieng 旺陽

HOW DID I GET HERE?

The day before I bought the minivan ticket from the guesthouse (GH) at Luang PraBang (LPB) to VV (Vang Vieng), it costs 125,000Kip. This tiny little town, Vang Vieng (pronounced as "Wang Wieng") is a popular stopover town before going to Vientiane. The whole journey took about 6-7 hours. It was one of the toughest ride in Lao I have encountered. Before getting on the van, we have been warned about the motion sickness due to the roads ahead. Fortunately I was arranged to take the front row seat just beside the driver. This is the minivan that can take up to 16 people. All our backpacks are just stacked and tied firmly on top of the van.

What made the journey even more unpleasant was the driver just off the A/C from time to time when the minivan is going up the mountain or when making certain turns at the corners. The uneven road surfaces, some steep winding roads up and down through the mountains and the continuous poor air ventilation within the van had made all of us felt some kind of motion sickness or dizziness too. Lucky I didn't smell any unpleasant odour coming from the back...

However, the scene along the hill was awesome. We did made a stop somewhere at the hill for an early lunch and get some fresh air before continue our ride down the hill to Vang Vieng. Once we reached the lowland, everyone felt much relieved as the A/C was on again! I had the feeling of going to countryside as the lush green paddy fields at both side of the road along seemed so welcoming. There are times where the driver sounded his horn over some random domestic animals such as cattle and chickens on the road! They were just roaming around the adjoining farmland area probably trying to seek for food. It was the funniest sight for us that lived in city! Sadly no picture taken.

Finally, we reached the bus station. Again we had no choice but to take their tuk-tuk to the town (1-2km away - 10,000K).

I checked-in a comfy villa with a hammock just outside my room. The room rate is however slightly more expensive (80,000K) consider it is quite a distance to the happening street. 

The exterior of my villa.

Most Respectful Alms-Giving Ceremony @ Luang PraBang 龍坡邦

THINGS TO DO HERE:
Besides the main traveler spots in town, I would say there are plenty of things to do here. I have arranged some interesting things I did here and tasted the street food :

A) Alms-giving ceremony

B) Morning Market
C) Night Market - Walking Street
D) Street Food

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A) ALMS-GIVING CEREMONY
In LPB (Luang PraBang), one of the most beautiful cultural sights in the morning is the alms-giving ceremony (“Binthabat” in Laotian). The eye-opening Binthabat ceremony takes place every morning at 5:30 am last about 30 minutes. From what I know, in Buddhism the main purpose behind such ritual practice is that the more we give without seeking something in return – the better our life will become. This out of fun culture practice is to pass our food offering to the passing-by monks after the dawn. The giving of alms, can be rice, fruits or needy items, are both a cause for accumulating merit and to aid the basic livelihood of the monks, whom are an important part of the Buddhism culture.

I woke up before 5am when the sky was still dark. I walked about 10 min and came to the main crossroad. Soon I was approached by a local Lao lady, she told me to follow her as I thought she could show me the place where the alms-giving gonna take place. I met an American guy and we were both brought to somewhere close by. 

Before I could decide, she just passed each of us a woven rattan container (that is filled with sticky rice) and a basket of Lao food wrapped with banana leaves (not sure what's in it?) . We did not know how this ritual works. Since she passed this to me, I just thought of giving it a try. I paid for 20,000kip. 

She helped us to tear the sticky rice into some smaller pieces so that the rice can be equally given to each of the monks that are passing by. We were told to take a seat on the woven mat .

The American guy and I were waiting until 5.30am and the ceremony has finally begun. I noticed a batch of monks in light brown/orange robes with bare foot were slowly walking in line approaching towards us. 

Mekong Sunset, Bamboo Bridge, Kuang Si waterfall @ Luang PraBang 龍坡邦

Some other traveler spots around LPB (Luang PraBang) that can't be missed :

AROUND LUANG PRABANG :

A) Mekong River

B) Bamboo Bridge (hot/dry season only)

C) Kuang Si waterfall
D) Some other temples

A) MEKONG RIVER SUNSET

After Vat Xien Thong visit, I had a stroll along the riverfront of the great Mekong river. I knew it gonna be a nice place to watch the sun going down soon. The sunset here happens around 6-6:30pm. I decided to look for the cheapest restaurant with a great view overlooking the river.

A local tuk-tuk that could fetch you going to the outskirt or even Kuang Si waterfall.

The beautiful blossom bright red flamboyant tree (Delonix regia) can be seen anywhere here!

Dark Wooden boutique hotels along the Mekong river. 

I supposed these design of the hotels are derived from the French colonial architecture.

There are some really boutique hotels along the street with restaurants just beside the river.

Tuk-tuk service from the restaurant.

Phou Si Hill, Ho Kham, Vat Xieng Thong @ Luang PraBang 龍坡邦

Luang PraBang (LPB) city is declared as UNESCO Wolrd Heritage site since year 1995. LPB was once the capital of the Lan Xang (Land of a Million Elephants) Kingdom that ruled Laos. Most of the traveler spots are in the old city area on the small peninsula surrounded by the Mekong river and Nam Khan river. Within the old city, there are quite a number of Buddhist temples. Every morning, there are many monks from different monastery walking along the main street collecting alms. Vat Chom Si on Phou Si hill is also an important landmark. I have spent a few days taking my own time exploring this beautiful ancient city.
Note : Most traveler spots have an entrance fee. Even walking across the bamboo bridge needs to pay for it. Nothing is free in here. Luckily the tickets are no expensive. There's no free map provided in LPB. 

TRAVELER SPOTS :

a) Phou Si hill (Vat Chom Si)  

b) Royal Palace Museum (Ho Kham)

c) Vat Xieng Thong

AROUND LUANG PRABANG :

a) Mekong River

b) Bamboo Bridge (hot/dry season only)

c) Kuang Si waterfall

THINGS TO DO HERE:

a) Alms-giving ceremony

b) The food in LPB
c) Morning market 
d) Night market

PHOU SI HILL (VAT CHOM SI)

After a good sleep the next day, I decided to explore this city by foot.The guesthouse is located near to the landmark – Phou Si hill. On the peak on the hill sits a holy temple - Vat Chom Si. According to info, Vat Chom Si is regarded by Laotians to be one of the most sacred places in LPB. Hence, tourists should dress appropriately before walking up the hill.

TICKET         : 20,000 KIP

TIME              : 09:00 AM - 18:00 PM

I walked along the Nam Khan river, this is the view during the hot season.

This restaurant has ethnic group performance show at night.

To climb up Phou Si hill, there are 2 entrances, one the main entrance is facing the Royale Palace Museum at Sisawangwong road.  Another back entrance is located somewhere towards the bamboo bridge along Kingkitsarath road. I just looked at my LP and slowly find my way to the back entrance at the hillside.