1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #576 - Nam Khan Bamboo Bridge, Luang Prabang

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #576

 

- Nam Khan Bamboo Bridge, Luang Prabang, Laos

 

(This unique bridge over the Nam Khan River is built using only bamboo. It closes for 6 months of the year from August due to heavy monsoon rains, making the swollen Ham Khan river a dangerous walk across it. There is a cute jewelry shop at the other side, which also teaches people to make local trinkets. I picked up a lovely leopard ring from it. Seeing children swimming by the river side here brings back memories of old when floods take over the drains at home every December)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #575 - Elephant Sanctuary, Luang Prabang, Laos

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #575

 

- Elephant Sanctuary, Luang Prabang, Laos

 

(The mama elephant here, Mamoun, was the star at this Luang Prabang Elephant Sanctuary. Having been saved from young from logging camps, she gave us a gentle ride around this large sanctuary, with 13 elephants, including an albino 'white elephant', belonging to the royal family - the only one of its kind in Laos. But it was when we took Mamoun to the Mekong River for her bath that we really saw how much she enjoyed the cool river water. My attempt to swim with her had me drinking some of the river water after the river bank suddenly dropped deeper than my height! But what a lovely morning giving this gentle giant her bath - priceless!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #574 - Kuangsi Falls, Luang Prabang, Laos

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #574

 

- Kuangsi Falls, Luang Prabang, Laos

 

(The water here is pale turquoise blue, making this Kuangsi Falls a beautiful waterfall, and a real tourist draw for Luang Prabang. Cascading over 3 levels, it falls from 60m high, with its beauty bringing tears to people seeing it for the first time. The blue colour comes from the calcium carbonate prticles from the limestone, reflecting the sunlight. It sure gives a feeling of peace inside, as you breathe the cool morning air here)

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #573 - Mekong River and Charming Luang Prabang, Laos

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #573

 

- Mekong River and Charming Luang Prabang, Laos

 

(The old-world charm of Luang Prabang is such a draw here. Our guesthouse was right beside the mighty Mekong River, giving us plenty of choices for dining options along this long milky brown river, so important to the people here. The streets here are still not packed with vehicles, with many side streets still being used for their nightly market and morning fresh-produce market. Did you see the size of the catfish they sell here?)

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #572 - Almsgiving, Luang Prabang, Laos

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #572

 

- Almsgiving, Luang Prabang, Laos

 

(It is a sacred ritual here in Luang Prabang - the act of almsgiving to the monks here in the early morning. The main road is cordoned off here for the monks to perform this ritual - collecting rice, vegetables and sweets their once-a-day meal. I was happy to be able to participate in it near our hotel, somewhat unplanned. A sense of calm came over me, as the monks in their saffron orange colour robes walked past me. It all makes for a solemn, cool morning for me)