Living it Large in Luang Prabang

5/22/20252 min read

Bamboo Experience

There wasn't really any living it large, I just liked all the L's. We signed up for Bamboo Experience and had a fun time.

It was close to the town but a really peaceful setting. Initially we were waiting for one other person and really interesting to hear the guide talk about Laos. He was from a village on the Mekong where people live a really basic life of farming and hunting. He felt compared to living in the city where he's having to work constantly to make ends meet it is an easier way to live. However he seems to enjoy the city.

We started by looking at all the things they make with bamboo, I'm dreading Karen getting home and wanting to make bamboo furniture! We also got the chance to play a bamboo woodwind pipe not as well as the guide. After this we had a cookery class with bamboo shoots and stems being an important ingredient of the dishes. The food was delicious but I think more to do with the lady helping us.

After this we had a chance to weave with bamboo and made a coaster each.

The experience finished with some dancing, two ladies banging big bamboo sticks together as we danced between them. I think my legs were whacked due to their awareness rather than my timing! I'm hoping the video Karen took never sees the light of day.

Kuang Si Waterfalls

After this we headed to the Kuang Si waterfall. Luckily it stayed sunny and we had a swim in one the pools. One of us walked up 453 steps to a viewing platform as well (not naming which one lol). The waterfall were quite breath taking to look at, the early rain this year filling them up.. There was also a sun bear centre where rescued sun bears were kept. These tended to be after poachers were caught

Luang Prabang Off-Season

So far in Laos we have been lucky with the weather, we know it has the potential for sudden down pours, but it has stayed sunny and warm for us. This has meant we've benefited from being out of season so not too busy. For instance at the waterfall we had a pool to ourselves but as we entered we saw lots of railings and signs to deal with queues in the main season.

The first restaurant we picked tonight was shabby and despite cannabis and smoking in bars being illegal there was a bloke smoking a spliff! It was a small place so we left and went to option two. It was a lovely place and the food was great after tasting tofu earlier in the holiday, I ashamedly chose tofu curry rather than chicken. I blame the decision on the happy hour cocktail and the free beer we were given!