Traveling from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang is a long and windy six hour journey by bus. While a highway is planned to join the two cities in the future, there is presently only one road linking the two cities. The drive is slow going but lends itself well to sightseeing, there is so much beautiful scenery to see on the ride North.
Luang Prabang, nestled at the convergence of the Nam Khan river and Mekong river, was once the Capital of Laos. There are a number of natural and historical sights drawing tourists into this city, all easily navigated to by tuk-tuk or bike.
With complimentary bicycles from our hotel, we set out to explore the city on our first day here and bring out our inner child. Luang Prabang has the same mellow vibe as Vientiane and all the charm of Vang Vieng, making it my favorite stop in Laos...and I had yet to even see any of the major sights.
The more traditional sightseeing was put on hold for one extra day so we could make our way to an elephant sanctuary and lend a helping hand. With the help of our guide Joy, we arrived to the Elephant Village and Sanctuary by mid-morning. Since other visitors were receiving their formal training when we arrived, Joy thought it would be the best use of our time if we just set out on our ride.
So up and onto our elephant Mao Khaang we went. Our Mahout (driver) Eddie explained that the English translation for our elephants's name was hangover. But perhaps there was a language barrier and some misinterpretation on our part....because a few seconds and a big yawn later Eddie explained he was out late and drank too much Lao Beer. And not more then 2 minutes later, Eddie asked if I would like to ride in front. An interesting proposal since I had no training, but when in the Nam Khan and on an elephant, you listen to your guide.
While other Mahouts were constantly down on the ground and snapping away pictures of their happy riders, Eddie barely snapped off a few shots before he was back up and sprawled across the seat. It quickly became apparent Eddie was more interested to sit back and chill out while Jon and I took turns driving the biggest hangover ever.
After our "advanced" ride, we spent time feeding the elephants before receiving the formal training we had missed earlier in the day. With the feeding completed, it was time for the elephants to get their mid-day bath. So Jon and I made our way with Eddie (just awake from his lunchtime power nap), another Mahout and two dirty elephants down to the river. As the elephants lowered themselves into the water, our Mahouts handed Jon and I the brushes to get to cleaning. And clean we did, even dismounting off the elephants down into the Nam Khan so we could scrub their legs and backside.
Despite their massive size and slow movements, the elephants were tender and easy to care for. With bath time over, we led the elephants back to camp. We said goodbye to our large mammal friends and left the sanctuary happy with our decision to venture off and do something a bit different for the day.
Riding Mao Khaang in the Nam Khan River.
Mounting our dirty elephants so we could bring them to the river for their baths.
The anticipation of that first step into the water.
Bath time on the Nam Khan River.
During our training session...and already experts.
Meet Eddie our Mahout...he never actually left the seat on Mao Khaang's back to take his lunch time power nap.
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