Elephants, Waterfalls and Buddha oh my

Some of the mud we got stuck in

Driving along the Mekong

Riding the Elephants

We have finally had a break in the heat here and the rain has started.  The daytime highs are finally below 100 and we can walk outside without melting.  We had the weekend off so we took full advantage of our time off.  On Sunday we went to go see the elephant sanctuary and it provided quite an adventure.  Overnight we had received some impressive rain and the dirt roads made for some difficulty getting to the sanctuary.  The van we were in got stuck more then once in the mud to the point we had to have another truck pull out out of the mud.  On one side of the road was a steep drop off straight into the Mekong River so we opted to get out of the van and walk.  However, this was not without adventure either.  We stepped out into the mud and I lost a shoe into the mud and Anna was covered in mud from walking in flip-flops.  We made it out and have a funny GoPro video to go with the event.

Boat ride to Pak Ou Cave

We finally made it to the sanctuary where we had our own private tour.  We each had an elephant to ride with a Mahout to lead it.  We rode along the riverbank for about an hour with some spectacular scenery in the background.  It was an amazing experience!  After riding the elephants we took them down to the river to have some fun.  The elephants would drop into the water and roll over to try and buck us off.  It was a lot of fun and we ended taking quite a few swims.  The elephants were amazing animals and so gentle.

Having fun

After lunch on the riverbanks we took a boat across the Mekong river and went to Pak Ou cave.  Its a cave on the river with hundreds of Buddha statues inside.  There were two different caves at the top of the stairs.  It was beautiful looking out at the cave at the Mekong river.  After walking up several flights of stairs, we got back on the boat to head to Tad Sae Waterfall.

Feeding the elephant

Because its the end of dry season the waterfall was not no impressive but the hiking around the waterfall was amazing.  Our tour guide took us to the top of the waterfall and to the caves near the waterfall.  It was an adventure to say the least.  Both Anna and I took a little tumble hiking but no one was injured.  After a long day day of adventure we made it back with only a few bruises and a lot of great memories.  We have a ton of pictures and are slowly making out way through them.  Here are a few from the days adventure.

Pak Ou Cave

Mekong River

Looking out from Pak Ou Cave

Overlook at Pak Ou

Adventures around town

Anna enjoying her favorite chair at the guesthouse

Sorry its been a few days since I last posted.  We have been working hard at the hospital and had some really sad cases.

Waterguns as flower pots

A random squatting guy

Its been hot as can be here.  Glad the record heat wave arrived around the same time we did. Temps have been above 100 during the day time and the hospital ward is not air conditioned.  Needless to say we are drinking crazy amounts of water to try and stay hydrated. With the crazy heat there has been some awesome storms Luckily for us today was much cooler then the last few days.  

Crossing the Russian bridge

Russian bridge

Over the last few days I found a bunch of fun spots for ex-pats to go to.  I went to a trivia night with several of the other ex-pats in town at a speakeasy club.  And last night we had a going away karaoke night which was a blast.  Many of the Lao staff went to say goodbye to our pharmacist.  It was a late night and I actually got locked out of our guesthouse.  Luckily I was able to climb the fence before the storm started and even get my bike over the gate as well.  I am sure if anyone saw me I looked like a crazy person but there was no way I was biking to the hospital to sleep.  Glad to know I can still climb a fence, its been a long time!

Nam Khan looking upriver

Utopia bar

Today we had a day off and decided we should explore the town.  During our almost 10 mile walk, we visited several temples, crossed the Russian bridge across the Nam Khan, and watched sunset on top of Mt Phousy.  From the top of Mt Phousy you can see a 360 view of Luang Prabang and it was quite a way to watch the sunset.  At the top there were several monks and we found one who wanted to practice his english.  We were able to learn more about the many temples in the area.

The Russian bridge was also an experience.  The motorbikes go in the middle and the people walk along the outside.  About 1/3 of the way across I chickened out and went back but Anna made it across both ways.  It was a wooden bridge and seemed a little sketchy but it is a very frequently used bridge.  

We made it to the top of Mt Phousy

We also went to a bar called Utopia.  Its a throwback to about 50 years ago with a bunch of people sitting around on traditional Lao floor mats, drinking beer, smoking and just having a good time.  We are not hip enough to hang out here so we had a drink, took some pictures and went on out way.  

It was quite a day and we are almost 2 weeks into our adventures overseas. Both of us are still in good health and enjoying the experience so far despite some rough days at the hospital.  We have an early morning tomorrow so we can drive to the elephant sanctuary and learn all about them up close and personal.  

Amazing sunset 

Another Day off

We had another day off today and again we tried to take full advantage of it.  Anna got up early this morning to watch the monks walk to the Wat and give alms.  I chose to sleep in today which was awesome.

We took a tuktuk down to Ock Pop Tok which is a living craft center in Luang that has local and traditional textiles and weavings.  We took a class on dyeing silk.  Silk textiles are a large part of the economy here in Luang Prabang.  There were many local women weaving textiles that will be sold to help support the women and their families.  We learned all about natural dyes and were able to color a scarf and 2 skeins of silk.  They use all natural products for dyeing and we actually got to prepare the dyes.  Anna had to pick indigo plants and muddle them to make blue.  I had to chop Annatto tree to make orange.  It was a lot of fun to work side by side with the women who work at the center.  For the scarfs we were able to make a design before dyeing them.  This involved folding and tying the fabric before coloring the scarfs.

After the factory, we decided to go across the bamboo bridge.  This is a bridge across the Nam Khan river that you can only cross during the dry season.  We are just days away from the rainy season so we wanted to do this before rainy season started and it is underwater with strong currents.  It was not nearly as scary as I expected it to be.  Across the river is where many of the local people live.

We also had a change to walk along the Nam Khan river road and found a grocery store!   We were so happy to be able to buy some groceries and a bowl so we can make oatmeal in the morning.  Anna was able to get a nice cold coke and I found unflavored carbonated water!!!

Day Off

Today was our first day off work since we arrived in Lao and boy did we make the most of it.  I got of work at 730 this morning and after biking home, Anna and I started a day of adventure.  Yesterday we finally found the French Bistro down the street and were able to get a nice western breakfast to start the day.  After breakfast we got a TukTuk and went to the waterfalls.



The waterfall is about 30km from town through the winding foothills of the mountains.  We are pretty sure we are in the foothills of the Himalayas.  We at initially thought of biking to the waterfall but after seeing the roads, I am not sure it would have been safe on the bike, let alone a single gear bike.
At the start of the waterfall there is a bear sanctuary.  They are black bears but they are nothing like American black bears, but instead are cute little bears that look like stalky dogs.  After the bear sactuary, the area opens up to a series of beautiful waterfalls.  We hiked up to the top pool at the waterfalls and the view was amazing!  We swam under the waterfall and enjoyed the cool crisp water.

 We enjoyed our lunch, peanut and butter sandwiches, at the top before hiking down.  On the way down, we adventured into some of the smaller pools.  I think it was the first time since we arrived we were not sweating.  Unfortunately all good things must come to and end so we found our driver and went back to the city.




















While walking back to our guesthouse, we took a slight detour to walk along the Mekong river.  While walking some guy asked if we wanted to go on a boat ride.  His price was higher then we wanted to pay so we started to walk away.  He then offered us a great deal on a sunset boat ride with 4 other people.  We quickly went back, showered, changed and off we went on the sunset boat tour.  It was beautiful.  We had the water below us, the mountains in the background and almost pure peace and quiet.



We then decided to walk through the night market on our way to dinner.  We are so tired after our crazy day but what an adventure.  Tomorrow we are off to learn about dyeing silk and even do our own.

The GoPro is back

Fresh vegetables

I went to the coffee shop where I last remember having my GoPro and there was a note there from someone who had picked it up.  I emailed the nice man and was able to get my GoPro back today!  There are some very honest and nice people in the world.  This man was from Germany and here with his family.  I am so thankful to have my camera back.

looking down the market street

Here in Luang Prabang, much of the morning and evening center around the markets.  The morning market is mostly food and is much smaller compared to the night market.  You can find all kinds of unique foods including live and cooked lizards, cooked bugs, snakes and almost any other animal you can imagine to eat.  I have to admit I have passed on all the meat from the morning market.  You can also find fruits and vegetables of all kinds.  Its a very colorful experience to walk through the market.




The night market is several blocks long and is packet.  The street is actually closed to traffic along the main drag.  It is one of the more popular activities to do here at night.

Vegetables

Tasty

So many colors

Fresh Chicken

Fresh Eggs

Right out of the Mekong

All kinds of meats

So many colors

Woman with homemade baskets

Bugs for breakfast?