Hello everyone!
Back again for another installment of our travels in Laos. From Luang Namtha we hopped on a bus destined for Luang Prabang. We got off three quarters of the way there, in a little village called Pak Mong. From there it's a one hour ride in a shared mini-van before you reach the glorious Nong Khiaw!
Back again for another installment of our travels in Laos. From Luang Namtha we hopped on a bus destined for Luang Prabang. We got off three quarters of the way there, in a little village called Pak Mong. From there it's a one hour ride in a shared mini-van before you reach the glorious Nong Khiaw!
Nong Khiaw, otherwise known as Hat Sao, lies on the Nam Ou river.
We stayed at a place called 'Bamboo Paradise', in a little bungalow hut that faces the river. The hut cost 50,000 kip a night, which is the equivalent to about 4 pounds a night.
This is the stunning view from the balcony of our bungalow! The bridge that connects the two parts of the town was provided by the Chinese. The presence of China in Laos is fairly noticeable, particularly in development and agriculture.
The bridge provides some great views of the Nam Ou. The hard, limestone mountains left standing after thousands of years of erosion provide such an incredible landscape.
The river was utilised not only for transport but for food as well. Fishermen dotted the water and locals collected 'river weed' to roll out, flatten and dry.
Once flattened, salt, garlic, sesame seeds and tomato slices are added for flavouring.
You can see it here, served with the 'Farmer's breakfast' we ate every morning! A vegetable omelette with steamed veg, aubergine paste, a sour dip and sticky red rice. Yum!
It's easy to walk out of the town and explore. There's even a small trail, out of the town itself, that heads up a nearby mountain.
The landscape provides breathtaking depth. The shaded progression as each mountain lies further back is particularly special.
The 'viewpoint trail' was made a year ago by guys from the local community. They ask for a small amount of money at the bottom which goes towards maintaining the path, especially after the rainy season, and the creation of the viewpoint at the top.
Some pretty special vine growth on the way up!
The viewpoint at the top is well worth the short slog.
Time to go back down again! The bamboo section near the top was beautiful.
Jon was as useful as ever.
There was a quite a few of these impressive tunnel webs around. The owner skulks in the dark interior.
Walking south-east from the eastern section of Nong Khiaw you can follow the road out into the country-side.
After about twenty minutes you're confronted by some more very special limestone karsts.
Patok Cave lies further along the road. Children hang around the area and ask for an entrance fee. We saw some sheepish looking visitors following them around! There is a small hut near the initial bridge to pay for a ticket. Don't pay any other 'guides'! You don't need one at all and they're not really guides.
Between 1964 and 1973, the US military dropped millions of tons of ordnance, in close to 600,000 bombing runs, on Laos. This unofficial war was a result of the US's attempts to stay the movement of the Vietcong. The sheer amount of explosives used within the Laos border makes it the most bombed country, per capita, in history. The devastation caused by this onslaught displaced thousands of Lao people. The people of Nong Khiaw and the surrounding areas opted to live in the caves. This sign shows the location within the cave in which some of ruling officials resided.
Despite its disturbing recent history the cave itself was incredible.
Further along from the main cave system, Eve stumbled across a hidden section of caves.
Secrets!
Back at town we enjoyed more wonderful food. These fresh spring rolls have become a firm favourite. The restaurant where we ate them also provided some pretty wonderful night views:
Our current part of the world provides a very smiley moon!
Nong Khiaw was an aesthetically enchanting place. The opportunity to walk into the surrounding area was much appreciated as well.
From Nong Khiaw we piled into a minivan to Luang Prabang, two hours south of Pak Mong. We're still in Luang Prabang now but are leaving on a night bus this evening. Getting the night bus is the best value as it removes the necessity for one night's accommodation. This wasn't so necessary in the previous countries we've visited but Laos has surprised us with fairly expensive public transport. Our destination is Vientiane, the capital city of Laos!
We hope you are all enjoying the pictures, we're definitely enjoying taking them!
Lots of love,
Eve, Giraffery and Jon.
x
