It's a dirty, smelly, polluted city with little to commend it as a city. On the web people hate the way you can't walk around without almost being run down most of the time. Sidewalks are for parking in this part of the world, and often building sites too so walking at night is really hazrdous.
Our boutique hotel was a haven of peace and beautiful things, mostly made from bamboo, beautiful art pieces, so skilfully crafted. Staff so caring and friendly, but once you went out the door, well, a different story.
We found the tuktuk drivers good once you reached an agreement with them. Take you where you want to go and willing to wait any amouont of time til you return.
We found one or two really nice retaurants close by, some with AC, hard to get enthused about food when you are really sweltering. The evenings cooled off later but even walking along the Mekong riverbak after dinner was steamy.
One thing here is excellent French bakeries, pattisseries, with tropical fruit sorbets too!
Friday we were almost home after an exhausting trip getting lost in a less than attractive end of town, when we look down the road, and there are Linda and Bob from Calgary, our friends from the cooking class in Luang Prabang! They have had some adventures in between, local buses, supposed to be VIP, everyone throwing up, Not going there! They have oodles of moxie these two, and are off on a home stay next, which they do all the time and enjoy.
After a cool drink, we arrange to meet for dinner and take them to the nice Lao Kitchen, authentic food, really friendly service, good prices and T on the menu for Tourist versions of dishes that may be too hot or spicy for some of us! Amen to that. My mouth has been playing up and chil really sets it going, which is frusrating for Ted trying to eat dinner with me. He has to finish everything! While I nibble on rice, veggies and salad. On the topic of which you can ignore all you read about Hepatitis and avoiding salads, they are marvellous here.
Our boutique hotel was a haven of peace and beautiful things, mostly made from bamboo, beautiful art pieces, so skilfully crafted. Staff so caring and friendly, but once you went out the door, well, a different story.
We found the tuktuk drivers good once you reached an agreement with them. Take you where you want to go and willing to wait any amouont of time til you return.
We found one or two really nice retaurants close by, some with AC, hard to get enthused about food when you are really sweltering. The evenings cooled off later but even walking along the Mekong riverbak after dinner was steamy.
One thing here is excellent French bakeries, pattisseries, with tropical fruit sorbets too!
Friday we were almost home after an exhausting trip getting lost in a less than attractive end of town, when we look down the road, and there are Linda and Bob from Calgary, our friends from the cooking class in Luang Prabang! They have had some adventures in between, local buses, supposed to be VIP, everyone throwing up, Not going there! They have oodles of moxie these two, and are off on a home stay next, which they do all the time and enjoy.
After a cool drink, we arrange to meet for dinner and take them to the nice Lao Kitchen, authentic food, really friendly service, good prices and T on the menu for Tourist versions of dishes that may be too hot or spicy for some of us! Amen to that. My mouth has been playing up and chil really sets it going, which is frusrating for Ted trying to eat dinner with me. He has to finish everything! While I nibble on rice, veggies and salad. On the topic of which you can ignore all you read about Hepatitis and avoiding salads, they are marvellous here.
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