Luang Prabang, Laos, SE Asia

5 hours from Chiang Mai, is the small town called Chiang Khong which borders Huay Xai on the Laos border. Visas sorted we took a short ferry trip across the Mekong into Laos (I am not talking P&O when I mention ferry, more like a fishing boat). An overnight in the sleepy town of Huay Xai before bording the slow boat to Luang Prabang. It's called the slow boat because it takes 2 days / 1 night to reach our destination, the seats are wooden with 90 degress back rests and a seat wide enough for 1 bum cheek. Now, imagine sitting on that for 8 hours a day - comfy huh! Well, for us intelligent ones we headed to the front of the boat and laid cushions that we bought on the floor - still not luxurious, but at least we could change positions every half an hour!

After 2 very long days we made it to Luang Prabang, a stunning French colonial city which as be awarded a UNESCO heritage title. Wooden buildings, moutains surrounding the town, french bakeries lining the streets - all set along the riverside. We arrived just in time for the Laos New Year (Pii Mai), which just like Songkran in Thailand is celebrated with a big water festival. Armed with our water guns we spent the next 3 days firing water at anything that came passed us.

The streets were filled with Laos people and backpackers, all in full swing - water guns, buckets and hose pipes in hand, there was not a dry person left on the street - in fact saturated would probably describe what we all looked like within minutes of stepping outside our guesthouses. On top of water throwing, Laos people tend to have lots of grease and flour on hand, and I am not sure if it was because I was female or the fact that I am not the tallest person in the world (easy to reach) I was a constant target for both. As fast I as would wash it off I was slapped in the face with more of the stuff (check out the photos once I have uploaded them!).

We also headed over to an island in the middle of the Mekong River where slushy mud came up to your knees. Over on this island Laos people celebrated with food, drink and dancing. By the end of the day I had never been so wet or filthy in all my life, but I have to say it was also one of the most fun days I have ever had. This continued for a further 3 days, and even if you try to get out of town for 1 of those days to escape the water you had a bucket of water thrown at your tuk tuk with in minutes - drenched again!

Aside from the new year celebrations, Luang Prabang offers beautiful temples, stunning scenery, great night markets, relaxing massages (Laos mystic massage, much more like it!) and just a lovely town to spend a few days. Time to move on, this time heading South to Vang Vien for more water shenanigans - tubing!