Monday February 25 Luang Prabang, Laos

In the morning, around sunrise, we go to the downtown area to observe the Buddhist monks receiving alms, mostly in the form of sticky rice.  Sticky rice is a separate variety of rice, and is eaten with the fingers.  There are mostly local people seated on the sidewalks, with plates of food to give to the monks.



Preparing to give offerings

The monks form a line and go down the sidewalk collecting the food in their bowls.  They only keep what is needed for their subsistence.  When the monks’ bowls are full, they put the excess in baskets placed along the sidewalk.  This extra food is then distributed to schools and other organizations.



Monks receivng alms in Luang Prabang

Our guide tells us the monks come from many of the outlying areas.  Those living furthest away go first, since they have a greater distance to travel home.  There is a full moon this week, which is of significance in Buddhism, so there is more activity than normal.  The novice monks, who can be as young as 12, wear the same type of saffron robe as other monks, but with one arm bare. 

While we are still downtown, we wander through the morning market.  Then it’s back to the hotel for breakfast before we see some other sights in Luang Prabang, which was the capital of Laos from 1353 to 1550.  The current population is about 50,000. 

Morning Market in Luang Prabang



 

The first stop after breakfast is to visit Wat Mai.  The word ‘Wat’ or ‘Vat’ means temple.  Wat Mai is the ‘New Temple’.  It was built in 1796.  The next stop is the Royal Palace, built in the early 1900s.  Even though the administrative capital was moved to Vientiane, Luang Prabang was still considered the royal capital.

Temple at Royal Palace in Luang Prabang

 

Another temple we visit is Wat Xieng Thong.  It was built in 1559 and is considered the best in Luang Prabang.  It was never damaged in any of the wars that affected the area. 

 

Wat Xieng Thong

 

We also visit the oldest temple in the city.  It is Wat Vissounnareth and was built in 1502.  In the courtyard of this temple stands a majestic banyan tree with a statue of Mother Earth below it. 

Banyan Tree and Mother Earth at Wat Vissounnareth

 

The last temple we visit in the morning is Wat Aham, built in 1829.  Parts of this temple show some Hindu influence, even though it was built at a time when Buddhism was dominant.

All of the temples we visit have carvings and paintings, which provide a pictorial history.  The stories told by the pictures involve mythical battles between forces of good and evil.  They detail the struggles faced by the people.

 Buddhist nuns at one of the temples

 



 Inside one of the temples

 

Monks chillin' at one of the temples

 Some of the design at a temple

 

Story in pictures on temple wall

 

Now that the day is heating up, we head to the Kuang Si Waterfall.  The falls are about 200 feet high.

Ken and me at Kuang Si Waterfall

 

We have lunch at the falls.  Afterwards we go swimming in the natural pools below the falls.  Of course we wait the appropriate time after eating before we go swimming.  The water is a bit cold, but feels good on this hot February day.

 

 Swimming area below the fall

 

Below the fall

 



Interesting insect at swimming area

There is a black bear preserve down a short path from the falls.  We visit this and learn of the efforts the Lao are making to protect the animals.  The only picture I have of the bears shows them behaving in what appears to be an inappropriate manner.  This is a family blog, so you just get the poster.

 

 Blace Bear Preserve sign

 

On the way back to Luang Prabang from the falls, we stop at a Hmong village, Ban Ouay, and observe cotton weaving.  The Hmong are hill people, who during the Vietnam War were allied with the US.  Our mother had worked with the Hmong during the war.  After the war, they were persecuted, and many fled to Thailand.  Many also resettled in the US.

 Cotton growing at Ban Ouay village

 



Spinning cotton at Ban Ouay village

 

We also stop by another village on the way back.

Village near Luang Prababang

 

Back in Luang Prabang, we take our guide’s suggestion, and climb the 387 steps at the Wat Cham Si temple on Phu Si Hill to watch and photograph the sunset.  We didn’t count the steps, but believe the number is accurate.  Phu Si Hill is popular with tourists as it offers a magnificent view of the Mekong River and mountains in the distance.

 

 Sunset from Phu Si Hill

 

Mekong River at sunset from Phu Si Hill

We stay downtown after the sunset for dinner.  Then we wander through the night market before heading back to the hotel for the night.  Before going to sleep, we verify the hair dryer is still there.