Luang Prabang, Laos: Rise Early to Feed the Monks (and Bowl at Night. Really)

Luang Prabang, Laos is small, but jam packed with things to do and beauty.  No wonder it's an UNESCO World Heritage site http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/479.

The beauty struck me immediately, as did the color orange. Monks bathed in the river; surely one of the most stunning bathing areas I've seen. I also caught sight of orange as they walked from their agriculture across the bridge to town.

Before the sun rose, we woke to give alms to the monks. I am not a morning person and thought I would struggle.  Once out of bed, the town in the darkness was captivating.  At the center of town, I felt a part of something peaceful and good. I joined with people lining the streets to feed the monks.

With my basket of rice filled, I waited.  The procession began.

 

Even taking photos, along with at least 100 other tourists, you couldn't miss the deference to the monks. Women have to be careful not to touch the monks.

An attraction in Luang Prabang is Wat Xieng Thong, a Buddhist monastery.

This location is also known as the monastery of the Golden City. 

The sun was starting to dip low in the sky.  

Taking good photos was not easy, but perhaps 

the gold here is meant to be remembered and not

captured.

I took a photo of a young couple here.  They returned the favor.  That's one fact that never changes, people are always happy to help fellow tourists with photos. But, if you give your camera to someone to take your photo, be as sure as you can that the person won't run off with your camera. 

At night, we wandered around the night market.  I purchased a bright elephant purse for my niece and a lovely wrap with lots of purple for myself.  Afterward, we went to the bowling alley. I hadn't bowled in years.  I hadn't expected in this small, UNESCO World Heritage site that I would bowl again.  

Bowling alley night with my tour group was one of my most memorable travel nights I've had in all my travels.  I wouldn't recommend the drinks here though, unless you don't care that what you order may not taste or look anything like what you likely receive at a bar at home.

The sites in Luang Prabang were either a short walk or tuk tuk ride away from Visoun Namsok Hotel. http://www.agoda.com/asia/laos/luang_prabang/visoun_namsok_hotel.html

This hotel is not in the center of town, but my room was spacious, modern as I recall, and quiet.  I also enjoyed the walk to town, which brought me by the Nam Khan River where the monks were bathing in their orange.