I have spent the last week in what is definitely one of my favorite places in the world: Luang Prabang, Laos. It was a spur of the moment trip, but I had three good reasons to go.
The first reason was to join some new friends from the US on the Lao leg of their trip. James, Todd, Paul, and Beth were friends of a friend. We had such a good time hanging out in Bangkok last week that I decided to take them up on their offer to join them in Luang Prabang.
My second reason to go was to try to drag along some of my few remaining friends who have never been to Laos. Only one (Vic) was able to go, but he ended up loving it so much that he extended his trip and is still there!
The third reason was to visit my Lao friend Sack who was doing a three month teacher's training in Sayaburi province, south of Luang Prabang. He invited me to come visit him and see where he is doing his training, and since I had been wanting to go to Sayaburi, I thought it was a great opportunity.
By the way, I have no idea how to spell Sayaburi. At the bus station I saw both Sayaboury and Xayabouli. Lonely Planet calls it Sainyabuli. And Google Maps lists it as Xaignabouri. And I thought translitterating Thai was difficult!
In any case, the first few days in LPB were great. I took my friends to all of my favorite places: lunch and beers at Noy's family guesthouse, BBQ grill at Mali's, dinner at Lao Lao Garden one night and Blue Lagoon another, and dancing at the infamous Dao Fa (Blue Star) Lao disco. A trip to the Kuang Si waterfall and rope swing was also a well-received outing for the group.
All in all it was another great trip to Luang Prabang. And, as usual, I can hardly wait to go back!
This is definitely on my list for my post-teaching travels.
No doubt. Luang Prabang is perhaps my favorite spot in all of SE Asia. I am always recommending my friends to go there. (I should be getting commission from the Lao Tourist Authority! :)