Luang Prabang was a relaxing few days. Originally we were going to rent dirt bikes so we could explore the country side. Renting dirt bikes (or any motorcycles) proved to be difficult and/or expensive. After one afternoon of speaking to local tourist companies and dealerships, I started getting the impression that bike rental was discouraged due to the local tourism office wanting us to pay for the local taxi services. Anyhow, we changed our plans and decided to relax in Luang Prabang for a couple days, then head to Vang Viene for tubing, then to Vientene to fly out to Hanoi Vietnam so we could get dirt bikes there. This cuts our trip a little short in Laos but allows us to extend the time in Vietnam. To try to relax from the frustration, we rented some beach cruiser style bicycles for 20,000 Kip ($3), grabbed some cold beers from the local vendor and rode around the town.
While exploring the town we ran into a UXO (unexploded ordinance) museum that was really interesting. From both WWII and the Vietnam wars, the Lao people were left with an estimated 80,000 unexploded mines, bombs etc. This makes it difficult for them to use land for farming, and development. Museum was really interesting, and we both donated some money and took some photos.
That night we met a Malaysian guy (Andrew) who was in the room next to us. He spoke great English (in addition to 5 other languages), and he joined us at the local pub for some (Tower Beers).
They were the cheapest drink out, and pretty cool looking. We rode our bikes to the pub, in the rain and when the pub closed I offered to give Andrew a ride (the bikes had a seat that you could sit on above the rear wheel). Things were going pretty well (although I was a bit tipsy from the Towers), until I missed a turn. Andrew shouted "There it is", and about 3/4 the way past it I tried to make a quick turn. The bike slipped out like the tire hit a banana peel, and we both spilled...laughing. Luckily no one was hurt. I offered Andrew another ride and he said "I would rather walk"...which I cannot blame him for. I got back on the bike and continued riding down the correct road. Before we got back to the Guesthouse, I tried to jump down off of a curb...and the bike did the same thing...slipped out. I dinged my thigh up on the curb, and it's still pretty bruised at this time. Andrew then suggested that "maybe you should walk too"...I agreed and made it home fairly unscathed.
The next day we ended up renting two scooters from a local restaurant for $15 (3x more than in Thailand) and going to some really neat waterfalls. They had a cool rope swing and also a small waterfall that we could jump off of. We were soon joined by a busload of Buddhist monk children, that were soon jumping off the waterfall and rope swing with us. It was a sight seeing them as playful children, but in their orange robes that they tied around their waist like a wrap. Brian got some great photos that I would love to share, but he is having some trouble with the memory card on his camera. Hopefully we can get them out I will try to share them later.
We are now leaving on a small bus for the 6hr trip to Vang Viene...
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