Greetings from Luang Prabang (Part 1)

December 6, 2016

Luang Prabang: A World Heritage City

Luang Prabang, Laos. I had heard this name for a long time, but the first time I became truly interested was after watching the movie "Sabaidee Luang Prabang." It seemed like there were always obstacles preventing me from visiting this place. When my friends and colleagues from my previous office planned a backpacking trip there several years ago, before I had resigned, I made plans to join them. However, as the trip approached, I misbehaved and ended up missing out on the opportunity to travel with them.

Subsequent invitations from friends to embark on extended trips, particularly those abroad, were met with scheduling conflicts. The demands of work and personal life created a sense of overwhelming chaos, leaving little room for extended travel.

Finally, last year, I made a resolution at the beginning of the year to visit Luang Prabang. This destination had been on my mind for several years, and I was determined to make it happen. I planned a rough itinerary, avoiding a strict schedule and leaving room for spontaneity. I wanted to explore the city at my own pace, discovering hidden gems and local experiences along the way.

In short, Backpacke went on a trip with two friends. They took vacation days and combined them with holidays in early December, resulting in a trip of over ten days. As someone who enjoys traveling during the cold season, they sought fresh air and mountains that are not found in Bangkok.

The primary destination of this trip was not **"Vang Vieng"** but **"Luang Prabang and Old Ngoy City"**.

• I even went to the trouble of creating a map for myself to easily understand how to get to each city on both the outbound and return trips. On the outbound trip, I entered through Nong Khai, and on the return trip, I entered through Chiang Rai.

Outline a rough travel plan.

: Luang Prabang, a World Heritage City (ຫຼວງພຣະບາງ) :

Let's get straight to the point. After an overnight journey from Vang Vieng, I didn't sleep a wink the entire night. I prayed for the journey to end quickly. I realized that sleep deprivation during long journeys is excruciating and significantly impacts the following day's travel plans. I even had to adjust my itinerary.

The bus arrived at Luang Prabang's Southern Bus Station around 5:30 AM. We stumbled out of the bus, half asleep and disoriented. The morning air was refreshingly cool, and the tranquility of Luang Prabang immediately struck us. As we stood there in a daze, a man standing by a shared taxi beckoned us over. He announced that the fare to Luang Prabang was 20,000 kip, which is equivalent to…

Let's get off the bus in front of the ATM.

The bus dropped us off at the crossroads of Luang Prabang, and everyone went their separate ways to find their accommodation. We didn't have a reservation, so we decided to wing it. We unloaded our bags from the bus and stood there for a moment, gathering our bearings, before asking someone nearby for directions to the riverside guesthouses.

When you meet someone here, you should greet them by saying "Hello". When they respond, you should thank them by saying "Thank you very much".

The car will stop for you to get off at this point.

The car will stop for you to get off at the intersection. If you walk up, it is the Luang Prabang zone, which is an area of old temples, old houses, which is a tourist attraction here.

The right path leads to the bank of the Khan River, which is older and less frequented. The left path leads to the bank of the Mekong River, where the Khan and Mekong Rivers converge, known as Pak Khan.

Exhausted and drowsy, we decided to walk along the Mekong River in search of accommodation, hoping to find a place to rest as soon as possible and fall into a deep sleep.

Walking along the Mekong River in search of accommodation
I walked from early morning until almost seven o'clock, but I still haven't found anything I like. It's true that it's on the banks of the Mekong River, but I can't see the river at all because the trees planted along the bank are so tall that they block it completely. Plus, some of the prices are expensive. 500 baht is too much, but the ones I like are 700-1000 baht. The ones that are cheaper than 500 baht are hostels, which I was planning to stay in before I came, but now I don't want to stay in a hostel anymore. Can I please sleep somewhere that will let me sleep soundly during the day... I really need some privacy and quiet right now. 5555

Wandering around, we felt hungry and sleepy. We decided to find breakfast first to regain our energy for finding accommodation. By chance, we stumbled upon "Prachaniyom Restaurant", a legendary establishment in Luang Prabang. We had seen many reviews praising their porridge, coffee, and Ovaltine, so we decided to give it a try.

People's Choice Coffee Shop: Luang Prabang's Beloved Cafe

Please provide the sentence or phrase you would like me to translate from Thai to English.

Food and drinks are priced similarly to those in Thailand. You can get a piece of "pa thong ko" (deep-fried dough stick) for one baht.

Ordered rice porridge with egg and Ovaltine. The price is friendly, but the taste is amazing. The shop is an ordinary shed, but the taste and atmosphere are extraordinary. Pracha Niyom Restaurant is located on the banks of the Mekong River. This place is like a coffee shop, where old people often come to sit and talk, just like a coffee shop in our rural hometown. The aunt in the red shirt is the owner of the shop.

After satisfying our hunger, we reluctantly left the restaurant, feeling full and content. We were enjoying the atmosphere so much that we had to tear ourselves away to continue our search for accommodation. Having explored the Mekong River side without finding anything suitable, we walked back to the intersection where we had been dropped off and discussed our next move. We debated whether to walk straight ahead or turn left towards the Khan River. Ultimately, we decided to look for something closer first, so we walked straight from the intersection into the city center, hoping to find something we liked.

Norasingh Guest House

The image shows a very sleepy face. 555
Finally, we found a place to stay for 2 nights in Luang Prabang. After walking a short distance, we saw a guesthouse with a traditional wooden door. It wasn't one of the many modern guesthouses we had seen. We weren't sure if it was full or not, so we walked in and asked if there were any rooms available. The owner, an aunt, was very kind. She said, "Yes, there are, but they belong to a foreigner who just checked out early this morning. I haven't cleaned them yet." She let us see the room that had been booked to see if we liked it and if we wanted to stay. We were happy with the accommodation because it was quiet and private, perfect for a long sleep today!!!

"We agreed to stay here for two nights." (Speaking in plain Thai, the locals here understand Thai.) So she told us to wait a moment. She would have the children quickly clean up, change the sheets and pillowcases for us. While we were waiting, we sat and played. There was a cat too, haha! It helped us wake up a little. We played with the cat to kill time while we waited.

The resident cow cat of NORASINGH GUEST HOUSE.

The accommodation costs 500 baht per night. For a two-night stay, the total cost is 1000 baht. The room has two single beds, air conditioning, and a fan. It also has a TV and a private bathroom. The place is very clean and quiet. Coffee and Ovaltine are provided free of charge, but breakfast is not included.

The accommodation is located opposite Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham, or as the locals of Luang Prabang call it, "Wat Mai". It is conveniently located near tourist attractions and food stalls. At night, the front of the accommodation becomes the "Dark Market" or "Night Market".

After the room was cleaned, we rushed in to claim our beds for a long nap, which would likely last until almost evening (Our travel schedule was messed up, but what can you do when your body desperately needs rest? T-T)

Inside the room

The first thing I did in Luang Prabang was sleep. 55555

The time for serious sleep has arrived. Turn on the air conditioning, cover yourself with a blanket, close the windows, turn off the lights, and go to sleep. Sleep until the afternoon. Sleep soundly. Wake up at two in the afternoon. Take a shower, get dressed, and go for a walk.

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Luang Prabang: The Epitome of SLOW LIFE:

After a full night's sleep and waking up at two in the afternoon, I showered, got dressed, and prepared my camera to go for a walk and explore the city of Luang Prabang. Even though it was the afternoon in a tourist city, the atmosphere was surprisingly calm and relaxed. There was no sense of urgency or competition among the locals or tourists. Everyone, including the foreign visitors, seemed to automatically adopt a slow-paced lifestyle. Despite being afternoon, the weather was cool and overcast, with the threat of rain looming. Combined with the laid-back attitude of the locals, who seemed to take their time with everything, we decided not to rush and simply enjoyed a leisurely stroll. We also took the opportunity to exchange another 5,000 baht, as the cost of food here was quite high.

The afternoon atmosphere in Luang Prabang.

In Search of the Legendary Luang Prabang Som Tam

In the afternoon, we didn't think about any tourist attractions, except for food. We decided to find a delicious Lao papaya salad. After finding the location, we walked towards the restaurant. The restaurant is located on the Mekong River, but not on the riverbank. As we walked, we weren't sure if it was the right place because from the outside, it looked like a residential house. We walked in and asked if the restaurant was open. At first, it seemed like it was closed, but when we were told that it was open, we were overjoyed. We were finally able to eat Lao papaya salad.

S้มตำ "ร้านตำบักหุ่ง" storefront

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Light meal for two ^^

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Luang Prabang papaya salad features flat papaya strips and a prominent shrimp paste flavor, resulting in a harmonious and delicious taste.

Fermented pork sausage is a favorite dish.

This meal costs a hundred thousand kip! (Equivalent to 510 Thai baht)

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: Embracing the Slow Life in a World Heritage City :

Explore the charming city of Luang Prabang by foot, where traditional houses, temples, and monasteries are meticulously preserved. New constructions and renovations seamlessly blend with the historical landscape, ensuring the city's UNESCO World Heritage status remains intact. Every aspect of the city's development is carefully planned and managed.

Children's Cultural Center

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The majority of accommodations along this road are located on the Mekong River side, where prices tend to be higher.

Old houses still stand amidst the numerous guesthouses that line both sides of the street.

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Paintings and photographs are on sale along the Mekong River promenade.

Luang Prabang's trash cans

: Sunset over the Mekong River :

We ambled along the road that stretched alongside the Mekong River, seeking a path down to the sandy beach. The sight brought back memories of the first time I saw this river in Chiang Rai. Waking up in Chiang Khong, the sun rose over the distant banks of the river. I took photos, but they are now lost with the broken hard drive. It's good to have friends on this trip, otherwise I would be terribly lonely. The loneliness here is not about being alone (which I am used to), but about being alone with my thoughts...

...Memories of Yesteryear...

To find someone who shares the same passion for gazing at the sky, waiting for the morning and evening light.

**I am ready to translate your sentences from Thai to English. Please provide the sentences you would like me to translate.**

As we cannot turn back the hands of time, we must move forward with our lives.

: Luang Prabang Handicraft Festival :

Visiting Luang Prabang during this period is a fortunate opportunity to experience both the Luang Prabang International Film Festival and the Luangprabang Handicraft Festival. The latter showcases the talents of local artisans, featuring displays and sales of woven and knitted garments, as well as traditional cultural performances on stage. Additionally, renowned local artists engage in discussions and seminars, offering insights into their creative processes.

Luang Prabang Handicrafts Festival

Luang Prabang International Film Festival (2016)

This is a festive time of year with many film festivals. Tourists are very interested, especially Laotians who come to reserve seats in large numbers. Before the film starts, there are performances by famous Lao singers and celebrities, creating a fun and lively atmosphere for everyone. Even foreign tourists, especially Westerners, get up and dance in rows. Haha!

Luang Prabang International Film Festival (2016)

: Explore the 15,000 kip buffet at the Luang Prabang Night Market. :

This bustling night market is a haven for food lovers, especially international visitors from Western, Chinese, and Korean backgrounds. While the food may appear and taste similar to local offerings, foreign tourists seem particularly delighted with the dining experience here. The buffet-style setup allows them to choose from a wide variety of dishes and indulge in as much as they desire, paying only once for their selections. The abundance of culinary options ensures a satisfying and memorable experience for all.

Let's go see if it's delicious.

Coconut pancakes and a fruit stall at the market entrance

These two restaurants offer buffet-style rice and curry.

From the looks of it, there doesn't seem to be much meat.

The sight of grilled chicken and the image of papaya salad immediately came to mind.

Desserts, cakes, cookies

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: Exploring the black market before returning to my accommodation. :

After exploring the night food market, we returned to the Luang Prabang International Film Festival 2016 venue to watch a movie. The first film we watched was a Laotian film, and the second was a Thai film, but I can't remember the name. After watching the first film, we decided not to stay for the second and went to the night market to browse the stalls and look at clothes before returning to our accommodation.

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Black Market in Luang Prabang

The accommodation was conveniently located near a night market, eliminating the need for a long walk back. This was a major advantage, allowing for a restful night after a day of exploration. The first half of the day was spent sleeping, while the afternoon and evening were dedicated to leisurely sightseeing, preparing the body for the adventures to come.

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Stay tuned for Luang Prabang Part 2.

**Accommodation: Norasingh Guest House**

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