Luang Prabang - Saturday and Sunday

Namkhan is set looking down into a valley with the river below and steep hills in the distance. We woke to the valley clouded in low cloud and looking very atmospheric. It was quite cool and we had to wear fleeces until the cloud gradually lifted and the sun burnt through it.  Every morning is the same, cool and cloudy, and as the day progresses it gets to a lovely bright blue sky and warm temperature.

I became at one with the world at about 11am as I sat by the pool watching the dragonflies dart across the water. It is the most beautiful spot with outstanding vistas.

The hotel is very steeps as it winds down to the river. There are suites over looking the river or rooms looking out of the forest. We had the latter. Moon moved us from the bottom room up one level. This room was very traditional, a box of wood, open at the top, and then a pitched roof made of reeds. It meant that air flowed through it and we didn't get the dampness as in the other room. Much lovlier and so quiet.

Everything and everyone is so laid back here, almost to the point of horizontal. It is owned by French Canadian Luc and is Lao wife Moon. Not surprisingly Moon seems to do most of the work and Luc enjoys the wine.  I wasn't even sure they knew we were coming.

The place has pretensions of being a boutique hotel, but its not really. It's just a nice laid back lodge. It was easy just to sit back and relax here. Read books, look at the scenery and wander around the forest.

On Sunday we took a boat to some local falls. It looked really touristy when we arrived, but we took a jungle path for about an hour, and it was beautiful.

There was always a fire burning by the main building as it gets quite cold here at night. We would sit around it every evening with the other guest having a beer or wine before dinner. There was Susan, a orange grower from Queensland, Richard from Switzerland, a US couple, one a photographer, and a few others that wandered in and out. Moon and Luc would join us.

Dinner was local and freshly cooked. Laab is local and made of minced chicken, pork or Beef with spices and salad. It was all so good. I will be making Laap when we get home. Red curry and chicken with cashews. And the most lovely fresh spring rolls. Spring rolls but not deep fried. I will be having a few more of them.

Is it crocodile Dundee?

Two lovely days