The Pak Ou caves miniature Buddhas
Early pickup to visit the Pak Ou caves
The arrangement was for me to be picked up at 8 am to go to the Pak Ou caves by boat. Already at 7:40 am, there is a knock on my door. Despite not being prepared yet, I assure them that I will be ready within five minutes. At the reception, I quickly grab a brig of soy milk, to have something in my stomach at least.
Still enough time for breakfast
The boy who picks me up with the motorcycle apologizes. He has two more people to pick up, and I was the first one on the list. We drive to the departure point where I find out that I still have the time for breakfast. I step into the nearest eatery and order a baguette with butter and jam. The drawback is that there is a relatively large group of customers. Fortunately, I don’t have to wait for too long. However, they mistakenly bring me a plate with egg and sausage, so I have to start over. After a few minutes, I finally receive my order and I eat everything as fast as I can.
A boy triumphantly running off with his cookies
The captain of the ship calls me over from across the street. Six visitors get on board the vessel to the Pak Ou caves. Our group consists of a Dutch couple, an Asian, and two Italians. After sailing for about an hour, we anchor our boat at a non-tourist village. I stroll towards the outskirts of the town where I spot a group of playing kids. I offer them cookies, which they accept thankfully. Show other children show up later on. So I hand out some more cookies to the only boy in the group. A few moments later I understand that was a mistake. Instead of sharing the snack with his fellow villagers, he runs off triumphantly.
Hundreds of miniature Buddha sculptures in a cave near the Mekong river
It is still a twenty minutes sail to the Pak Ou caves along the Mekong river. This group of 2 caves, a lower and an upper one have transformed into a sacred site with hundreds of miniature Buddha sculptures. The primarily wooden images are scattered all over the place, many of them in poor condition, but that doesn`t spoil the visit. We only have the misfortune that another group of tourists arrived just before us. Consequently, we have to queue up to take our photographs.
A stop at whiskey village
Our next stop is Ban Xang Hai. A visit to this village is always included when booking a boat trip to the Pak Ou caves. In this place, they brew rice whiskey or Lao-Lao. As soon as we arrive, we have the option to taste the whiskey; there is a light version, similar to regular wine, and a stronger variant with alcohol content ranging from 40 to 50 degrees.
The whiskey is produced in the traditional way, with an open fire and earthen jars. The village itself is familiar to receiving tourists. There are several stalls with fabrics and other items. After some bargaining, I purchase a bottle of the stronger rice whiskey. I wonder what impact consuming something with a temperature of 50 degrees will have.
Late return to Luang Prabang
It is about an hour sailing to Luang Prabang again. We were expected to return around 11:30 am. However, it is 13:15 when we finally get back. This isn’t an issue for me as I didn’t have anything planned for the afternoon. But for some in the group, it becomes more inconvenient. They are supposed to start sailing around 13:30 to the Kuang Si waterfalls, so they are unable to take a break for lunch.
Dinner served by soon-to-be ladyboy
As the sun burns severely, I decide to return to the guesthouse for some rest. At about six o’clock, I go out again looking for a restaurant where I can have my meal. I do not want to dine in Sisavangvong Street tonight and take an alternative route towards the city center. I opt for a small restaurant, with a charming outdoor seating area. I order a starter, vegetable spring rolls, and catfish with vegetables and sticky rice. As most of the time, an enjoyable meal again. The guy who serves me apparently desires to be a girl; he is not yet a ladyboy, but nonetheless incredibly friendly; what else did you expect when sitting there on your own?
Finish the day by enjoying Lao beer and rice whiskey
After that I enter a modest lounge bar; the music being played is to my liking. However, I do not feel inclined to hang around in a bar on my own. After my first Lao beer, I head back to the guesthouse where I drink a glass of rice whiskey that I have bought today. In terms of drunkenness I had feared it would be worse, but it is not too bad. Chokdee.