Luang Prabang - Day 2

A few pictures of our lovely hotel grounds.

The nearest I got to taking workers in the paddy fields which is another of the shots I'd composed in my head before the holiday even started but so far haven't been able to take.

The view from our bedroom window, with early morning mist on the hills.  The view must have been even more lovely before the new hotel opposite was built (Chinese). 

The hotel is owned by the deposed King’s granddaughter and is beautiful but there is something lacking about it, whether it’s the uninspiring food, the indifferent staff or the dreadful rap music played all the time which spoils it I don’t know.  Oh, maybe it’s the just the £35 cost of a bottle of wine that clouds my judgement. Shame though as it could be really fabulous.

After breakfast we headed back into town to see the best of the Wats.

Looks like one monk wasn't very keen on today's early morning alms

We then set off into the countryside and stopped at a couple of ethnic tribe villages to see their colourful costumes (worn especially for the tourists) and obviously to buy something and of course I obliged.

 

 

Lydia bravely tried her hand at spinning cotton which is not as easy at it looks.

Then we drove on to the most beautiful waterfalls (Kuangsi) where we due to have a picnic lunch.  But we couldn't have imagined just how good it would be; there was a tablecloth, proper cutlery and hot Lao food - absolutely delicious - I don't really know how the guide and driver sorted it but it was incredible.

The water was a fantastic shade of blue due to the copper nitrate content in the rocks.  But boy was it cold, Ian got in relatively easily but poor Lydia couldn't hide her shock and horror as to just how cold it was, also there were rocks beneath so swimming was a little difficult.

Then after a quick change of swimming trunks, Ian delighted the onlookers with his diving prowess!

My bouts of hypnotherapy a few years ago have certainly paid off and I was able to stand quite close to this spider to get a picture.

To be continued .......................