Luang Prabang

After a somewhat average experience in Vang Vieng, we found ourselves stuck in the World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. What an amazing place. We spent over a week walking and cycling around, and nearly drowning ourselves with amazing coffee and free WiFi from Joma Coffee. Later in the week Sarah and Jade (Sarah's cousin) turned up for a semi-arranged meetup during their Asia travels.

Similar to when we met up with Kent and Isaac in Thailand, it was so awesome to travel with some buddies. You always meet new people, but its a touch of home having not only Kiwis, but another Montagu to travel with.

We had some idea that in the next couple of days Jade and Sarah would be turning up in LP from Northern Thailand. However I got the shock of my life when we were lying down having our feet massaged and they walked past the window! I said to Sarah "Hey! there they go!" But the thing was, Sarah had massage oil all over her feet, but leapt up and took off slipping and sliding after them down the street. What a strange feeling to see people from NZ walk past your window some Tuesday afternoon in the middle of Laos.

The main street in LP

One of the many "wat"or temples around LP

Another temple

After a little bit of a slog we got to the top of Phou Si. The view was pretty spectacular, you could see right across the city.

Another perspective

Topic of the day was the rugby world cup win. After a brief yarn, we went on to check out the site of Buddha's footprint. I think Buddha must have been the size of four elephants because I could fit inside his footprint...

When Jade and Sarah had arrived, we met up with some of our other volunteering buddies Cassondra and Rhian. Just one of those 'click' weeks where everyone gets on like a house on fire. In fact, we got on so well that when Sarah and I left LP, these guys hung out for another few days without us! 

A little but grainy unfortunately, but this is the crew in the back of a 'jumbo' heading to the waterfall.

After a great week in Luang Prabang, we hit the road. Yet another bone jarring Laos bus ride!