one of my most favorite photos, courtesy of A Fish
At the end of last year, I was fortunate to find myself on a plane to China to meet up with my father in Shanghai. I had really been pushing the idea of taking a trip to Laos with him since my late teens. Though he is ethnically Chinese, his family spent a lot of time moving around Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia, and Vientiane, Laos. I find it strange that for the greater part of my childhood I thought my dad was born in Laos. There seemed to be some mystery surrounding some of the stories I’ve heard and general reluctance to revisit.
Nevertheless, I felt it was important to push the issue and basically forced the trip to Laos. There were a lot of logistical issues: getting to Vientiane, meeting up with my dad’s old friends, etc., some of which brought about familial conflict as I think is the case with anyone who attempts to travel with their parents. The trip was definitely rushed (I'll have to dedicate a post to Vientiane at another time), but the saving grace of the trip was definitely a hop over and up to Luang Prabang.
The city proved to be completely breath taking in a very non-traditional way. It is quaint, dusty and carries an unmistakable density in the air. In the mornings, a heavy fog floats just above the Mekong River. As the day progresses the heat and humidity are inescapable, the streets become empty as locals and tourists alike hide under the shade of the cafes. Almost immediately my memories of the passing hours felt sepia soaked and timeless. There was something about the city that clicked with me, and though it was very foreign it felt familiar in a way. I especially loved watching the little monks return to their temples on their way back from school in their bright orange robes and the sounds of little kids playing at the nearby school while drinking a watermelon juice on the second floor veranda of a Lao restaurant.
Nevertheless, I felt it was important to push the issue and basically forced the trip to Laos. There were a lot of logistical issues: getting to Vientiane, meeting up with my dad’s old friends, etc., some of which brought about familial conflict as I think is the case with anyone who attempts to travel with their parents. The trip was definitely rushed (I'll have to dedicate a post to Vientiane at another time), but the saving grace of the trip was definitely a hop over and up to Luang Prabang.
The city proved to be completely breath taking in a very non-traditional way. It is quaint, dusty and carries an unmistakable density in the air. In the mornings, a heavy fog floats just above the Mekong River. As the day progresses the heat and humidity are inescapable, the streets become empty as locals and tourists alike hide under the shade of the cafes. Almost immediately my memories of the passing hours felt sepia soaked and timeless. There was something about the city that clicked with me, and though it was very foreign it felt familiar in a way. I especially loved watching the little monks return to their temples on their way back from school in their bright orange robes and the sounds of little kids playing at the nearby school while drinking a watermelon juice on the second floor veranda of a Lao restaurant.
view of the Khan River
Luang Prabang is a UNESCO protected World Heritage Site.
Lily pond at the Villa Santi Hotel
Located about 5 minutes outside of the main part of town.
This hotel had some of the most beautiful grounds and THE best massage I have ever had.
the climb up Mount Phou Si
Wat Xieng Thong
3 photos from A Fish
boats along the Mekong
scbool yard and roadside markets from A Fish
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