Day 2, Luang Probang, Laos, January 20, 2014
Luang Probang, Laos
It was still
very cold and the guy at the desk told us it was much colder than last year.
After a spartan breakfast we headed via Tuk Tuk to a dock on the Mekong River.
There was a long boat waiting to take us on a two-hour cruise up the river. The
level of the river was about midway between high and low water and it seemed
somewhat swift. Ken did a lot of talking about the geography of Laos. We were
in the mountainous area and since the sun never came out, the mountains in the
distance took on a similar ethereal look like on the Lee River in China. 
At one point
we pulled over to visit the Whiskey Village, named because they make whiskey by
using stills. The women also had looms and were working to produce a variety of
weavings. We had a chance to walk around the village before boarding the boat
again to continue on up the river. 
The last
stop up river was to visit a cave where people put many Buddha statues. It was
a short but steep climb up to the first cave. No one in our group tried for the
much higher cave. Back on board the tables were set for our lunch. They served
the traditional dishes, starting with watercress soup and then several kinds of
stir fry and of course, rice, which is the main staple food. The lunch was on
the ride back down the river.
We were back
to the town by 2:30 and had the afternoon free until leaving for the included
dinner at a restaurant in town: another Tuk Tuk ride. Some, including Paul,
went ahead for "something special." It turned out to be duck and goat
and some things made from their parts. I'm glad I didn't go. Dinner was ok but
not the best we have had. The food is beginning to all seem alike.
That's it for now. Grace and Paul
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