After entering the park we were led on a wooded path to the bear sanctuary where we found twenty-some black bears, of varying species, playing and lounging around the natural habitat that has been created for them. We arrived a few minutes past feeding time, but still got to witness the activity of the bears as they finished up their lunch. My favorite was this little sun bear who rolled onto his back and frolicked in the sun after his meal.
With our visit to the bear sanctuary over, we continued on the wooded path and came across the first, of many, swimming pools collecting water flowing downstream from the waterfall. The pools are a stunning turquoise color, almost unnaturally so, and are surrounded by tropical foliage. Most of the pools are accessible to tourists for swimming, with only a few being closed off to the public because they are dangerous and too slippery to enter and exit.
As we continued past the pools and up the path, the main attraction was the 200 foot Kuang Si waterfall at the end. One look at the waterfall and it was clear why Kuang Si is the largest attraction in Luang Prabang, it is just stunning.
After spending time at the falls, it was time to make the trip back to the city center. We decided to deviate from the main road about halfway through the trip, following a dirt road into the hillside. Our dirt bike did us well, helping us to scale the step incline of the path. Our little detour paid off, because at the end of the path we were treated to an unobstructed and panoramic view of the countryside of Luang Prabang...a view most tourists probably never get a chance to see.
We decided to switch up our mode of transportation the next day, opting for a boat cruise North on the Mekong River to visit the Pak Ou caves. Prior to reaching the caves, our boat stopped at Ban Xang Hai village. Ban Xang Hai means jar maker in Lao. In recent years the village has gone from making jars to filling jars with Lao Whisky or Lao Lao, so the village is more commonly referred to as whisky village. Although whisky making is the predominate craft in the village, the locals also undertake silk weaving and paper making.
The rice wine and whisky locally produced in Ban Xang Hai is often married with snakes and other creepy crawly creatures thought to have medicinal powers. A thimble sized sampling of the whisky and wine was enough for me to understand the potency of this local moonshine.
With our tour of Ban Xang Hai complete, we continued north to Pak Ou. There are two caves in Pak Ou, Tham Ting (lower cave) and Tham Theung (upper cave). The caves are noted for their miniature Buddha sculptures. Hundreds of very small and mostly damaged wooden Buddhist figures are laid out over the wall shelves. They take many different positions, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain, and reclining (nirvana).
After touring the caves, we boarded our boat for the return trip back to Luang Prabang. Cruising along the Mekong and enjoying a traditional Lao lunch was the perfect way to end our visit to Luang Prabang,
Luang Prabang, the once royal capital known as the "Thousand Pagoda City" is an idyllic, unspoiled and charming location designated as a UNESCO world heritage city. While Luang Prabang has received this distinction from UNESCO, I witnessed a plethora of natural and architectural beauty, supported by a culture still rooted in traditional values in all three cities (Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang) during my travels through Northern Laos.
We said goodbye to Laos after a wonderful couple of weeks...next stop Thailand.
Stopping to take in the many swimming pools collecting water as it flows downstream from the Kuang Si waterfall.
Posing in front of Kuang Si waterfall.
The little sun bear enjoying himself after lunch.
Jon with our trusty dirt bike after scaling the hillside to provide us with an unobstructed view of the countryside.
One of the resident whisky makers in Ban Xang Hai village.
The rice whisky and wine, most of which is bottled with creepy creatures for medicinal benefits.
Jon posing at the whisky stand, that's as close as he came to the Lao Lao...no samples for him that day.
On our approach to the Pak Ou caves.
Outside the entrance to the Pak Ou caves.
Some of the Buddha statues inside the lower cave, Tham Ting, at Pak Ou.
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