Louang Prabang

Louang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is billed as "The Paris of Southeast Asia." It's easy to see why. Old French colonial mansions line broad boulevards, and fresh crusty baguettes with pate et fromage are sold next to noodle soups and sticky rice. We arrived around sunset after a long couple days floating down the Mekong River.

Our first impressions of the town were a bit disappointing. The rumors of Louang Prabang being the most romantic city in Southeast Asia didn't quite fit with our first sights of a dusty and dirty road along the river. We sat down for a disappointing dinner, and were further disappointed to find that our natural insect repellants were completely ineffective against the very hungry mosquitos. Not too keen on contracting malaria, we reluctantly sprayed ourselves down with DEET and caught a tuk-tuk to our disappointing room. Kim declared that she just wanted to go home and be with her mommy. We slept.

Oh, but how a good night's sleep can change everything. We got a better room, we found the better part of town, and although we couldn't find the cafe we were looking for we found an even better breakfast spot! Everything was better! We spent the day drinking lattes, strolling along the lovely city streets and admiring the beautiful scenery, temples and architecture. The Laotian people are certainly the most friendly and beautiful people we have come across on our travels. They all smile and greet us with "Sabai Di!", ask about our families, if we're married, where we're going, where we've been, and if we've eaten.

Since all the people on our boat trip were all staying in Luang Prabang, we feel like we know everyone in town. Every few minutes, we bump into someone we know; we've never felt so popular! We realized that we made more friends in the past 4 days than we had in our entire 1 1/2 months in Chiang Mai. We found our two Slovenian friends, Renata and Yuri and two of their American friends, Jeannie and Jamie, and we settled into a street-side table at a fine establishment for a night of heavy drinking with good friends.

The next day, Kim's cold that she had been nursing for about a week came back full-force (perhaps due to the previous night's festivities), so she decided to take a day off and stay in the room watching movies and napping. Dan wandered the streets for nourishing soups for Kim despite her repeated request: "All I want is a spinach croissant!"

On his wanderings, Dan met a young novice monk named Sin. They hung out and talked about their families and Buddhism for long hours before Dan remembered his mission of collecting rejuvenating foods and pirated movies to heal Kim. Sin invited Dan to bring Kim the following day to watch and take photos of the full moon ritual where the monks shave their heads and eyebrows.

Sin has since invited Dan and Kim to meet him at 6am for a beautiful ritual called "giving alms" where the monks walk the street and the people give them rice and candies. Unfortunately, 6am comes and goes quickly, and Dan&Kim have not yet been able to keep their date.

Tomorrow we head off on a 3-day trekking tour of the surrounding area. We'll be mountain biking, kayaking, hiking and even visiting an elephant conservation camp to hitch a ride with the pachyderms. We'll spend our nights hanging out with the Hmong Hill Tribe people in tiny remote villages … we'll let you know how it goes when we get back!

Love, Dan&Kim

Kate and Nick posted on 2008-01-27 at 4:55 pm

The family is slow to catch me up on your world so here I am for the first time. Wow guys! I wish I was wth you. This is an amazing journey. I wish we were with you. Love to you both. Namaste ~nickate

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Anna posted on 2007-12-27 at 4:40 pm

guys, thanks so much for including me in on your journeys!! when I have a moment, I look through your pictures and stories of love and adventure and just think about how happy I am for you both to be able to travel and enjoy the world as you are doing. I am living vicariously through you and thank you for the opportunity. I'm not sure how much longer you will be there, but enjoy the rest of the time, as you have very obviously so far been doing. thanks to the both of you for showing me such beautiful, colorful and unspeakably awe-inspiring parts and scenes on this Earth. I'm always ready for more... love, Anna

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Mom posted on 2007-12-26 at 1:10 am

2 postings in one day and both equally as good.The pictures of Sin the monk are wonderful to see,just happenend to be there on a full moon.We had a great full moon here it was glowing on the 23rd. enjoy your next trip and remember to take some pictures of the elephants for Dad. With love,hugs and kisses. oxoxoxoxoxo

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Grace posted on 2007-12-25 at 11:50 pm

Been thinking of you both alot the last few days and wondering what you are up to and if you have celebrated Christmas in any special way. My daughter Miriam came from Australia and we had a very nice day together. Here is wishing both of you all the best for 2008. Thanks for all the shots and explanation about places you are visiting. Take care and God Bless. LOL Grace

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Monica posted on 2007-12-25 at 4:33 pm

Merry Christmas my lovelies! I miss you guys! Jane had us all over for a little Christmas party last week at your old house, and all I could do was think about the times we had when you guys lived there. You were sorely missed that night, but we had a good time with you there in spirit! We have some new additions to our group. Fun, new people at Whole Foods. Glad to hear things are still going well and you are having a great time. I loved the monk pictures! What a great experience. DEET? those must be some killer mosquitos if they don't respond to essental oils! Come home soon! Love, Monica

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nona and poppi posted on 2007-12-25 at 4:19 pm

received another wonderful e-mail!! we're seeing a part of the world that we would never ever see otherwise!I'm sure Kim is better by now.We wish you both a happy and "HEALTHY" new year.Love you very much.

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Terry Fisher posted on 2007-12-25 at 2:23 pm

Hi Kim & Dan Merry Christmas and a happy new year. Its xmas day and I'm going to meet Thump and Amie and see a movie called the golden compass.. Other than that not much going on. When are you coming home do you now yet. Sure do miss you. Sounds like your having a good time. I'll see you soon Love Dad

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Heatha posted on 2007-12-25 at 2:15 pm

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you both! I LOVE that you are enjoying yourselves and I hope Kim feels better soon!!! Come home when you're done having the time of your life and CALL ME! :) LOVE YOU!

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