Luang Prabang - last day

On my last day in Luang Prabang (Monday, 8 January) I wanted to walk around and really see the city since I really hadn't seen much when I was hanging out with my friends. I went to several wats including Luang Prabang's most impressive wat, Wat Xieng Thong. Luang Prabang is a really great city with some fantastic architecture. The French sure left an impression here. There are tons of wats for such a small city; sometimes one right next to another. One of my last stops was the Royal Palace Museum complex. I didn't feel like going into the museum so I just wandering around the pleasant enclosed grounds. I spent the rest of the day checking travel agents trying to find the best deal on the bus ride to Vang Vieng. Unfortunately they all charge the same $10, which is up from the $6 quoted in my guide book! Laos is really getting expensive. I would never pay that much for a 5-hour bus ride in Thailand. Then on the way back to my guesthouse I walked up the large hill in the center of the city called Phu Si. Actually I only walked half way up (to the ticket booth) since I had been to the top last week when I was here and I didn't feel like paying again or dealing with the crowds. There were still nice views from half way.

I ate dinner in the night market for the second night in a row. You can fill a plate with rice, noodles, and vegetables for $0.50 and get a $0.30 fruit shake. It may be the best deal in Luang Prabang. I had 4 fruit shakes today which ties my record...

I'm ready to head to Vang Vieng tomorrow morning and I feel that I have finally seen Luang Prabang. I booked a seat on a private minibus because it was only a dollar more than the public bus and is 2 hours quicker. Go figure.