Day 14:
We took a day off the motorcycles to explore Luang Prabang by bicycle. We took the ferry across the Mekong River (10,000 kip each) on our rented, crappy single speed bicycles. I don’t recommend this. Either rent a proper mountain bike for 100,000 kip, walk or take your motorcycles. For off road moto fun, head east on the dirt road. For a paved adventure, head straight. On crappy bikes, call it a day and head back to the peninsula for a beer. They just can’t handle the climbs.
After our brief ride we hit some of the temples, including Wat Xieng Thong. Then we hit the UXO Lao Visior Center. For a donation of your choosing, you can explore this small museum and watch two short films on the history of the bombings of Lao. Definitely worthwhile to appreciate the extent of the ongoing problems faced by the Laotian people from unexploded ordinances. Laos is, after all, the country most bombed per capital in the world.
From here we hit Phu Si for the sunset. Unless you are a sunset junkie with extreme patience, skip this insanely crowded tourist attraction. The views are definitely beautiful, but fighting the crowds didn’t make this worthwhile. I give this a 3/5 for overall enjoyment. Sunrise or mid-day would be the time to go, when it’s less crowded. To really enjoy the sunset, hire a boat to take you up the Mekong river. If you walk along the Mekong, you can easily find a boat operator to take you on a journey.
Then we hit the Garavek Storytelling Theatre. The storyteller was good, and the music enjoyable but overall not our thing. We had hoped to learn more about Lao’s history and culture. This was fables and children’s story. Another 3/5.
Then the fun began. To make up for our expensive meal last night, we hit the night market for dinner. Pork sausage, whole grilled fish, rice, pigs brain and coconut pancakes. Wait, what?
I really wanted to try pigs brain, but it was a no go for Shawn. I needed a buddy, as I wasn’t game to try it on my own. Luckily for me, a nice Dutchman sat next to us to enjoy the grilled fish, and he was game. I had my buddy! Off we went to try it from a street vendor. Two American women we were also sitting with were convinced to try it as well after somewhat convincing nods from the Dutchman and I as we gave it a go.
It was one of these women who best described the flavour and texture. Tofu. Overall not something I would go out of my way to have again, but certainly not cringe worthy.
It turned out to be a fun night with our culinary adventurous new friends.
Day 15:
Today we went to Tad Sae waterfall. Keep walking past the restaurants for hidden pools high above the main pools. We enjoyed swimming in the pools, jumping off pool ledges and relaxing in the sun. Dinner tonight with new friends from Paris at L’Elephant. We had the Laos Supreme tasting menu. It wasn’t nearly as good as Manda De Laos.
Day 16:
Started the day with yoga at Oasis. The teacher was great, and the setting was lovely, but the class was very basic. This caters more to tourists than those looking for a good workout.
Then it was off to Kuang Si waterfall. We trekked up to the cave, then enjoyed the “log crossing” competition at the upper pool by the cave. If you make it across, you get a free beer. This was definitely more fun than the cave.
After enjoying swimming in the pools at Kuang Si, it was off to a cooking class at Tamarind Restaurant. This was our compromise. I wanted to do the adventure menuoffered by Tamarind (including pigs brain and insects), Shawn did not. Somehow the cooking class became the compromise. It was very enjoyable, and much better than our meal at L’Elephant. If you have an interest in taking a cooking class while in Laos, Tamarind offers a beautiful setting and professional staff to ensure you have an enjoyable evening with delicious foods traditional to Laos.
Live Life Epic 