LUANG PRABANG (LAOS) : Steve Umemoto

Diane and I spent January, February and part of early March in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos & Malaysia) to get away from the cold and damp of London. Here is a short note and a few pictures from our four-day visit to Luang Prabang, the old royal capital of Laos.

The Mekong from hotel

The Mekong, from hotel balcony

In the still-forested mountain of north central Laos, is the country's old royal capital of Luang Prabang. Now a World Heritage Site, it has been inhabited at least since the 8th century. The beautifully preserved old town is on a high, four-block-wide peninsula at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers.

Early morning food for monks

When I first visited in 1973, Luang Prabang was, in my mind, one of the true semi-hidden Shangri-Las of Asia. In the succeeding five decades of political and economic change, it has been discovered by thousands of visitors from Europe, China and elsewhere. However with its preservation and the holding off of over-development, it still holds some of its old magic. In the dark before dawn every morning, hundreds of residents and visitors line one of the old town roads to offer food to dozens of orange-robed monks from the serene and colourful temples. High above the rivers along three sides of the peninsula are restaurnats and coffee/tea shops with incredible views and good food. Not far out of town is one of the most impressive waterfalls of the region as well as villages with traditional wooden houses, but benefiting from the availability of clean water and electricity.

Vat Xiang Thong

Vat Sop Sickhaaram

Typical hotel in old town

Evening market

Kuang Si waterfall

Kuang Si waterfall

At Kuang Si waterfall

Pause for coffee at Kuang Si waterfall

This was my third visit, and each time I leave vowing to return again.