Lazing in Laos

For our remaining days in Laos, we did what is best to do in Laos - chill out.  Scenes around town:

Well, except for one last eager beaver touristy thing: we got up at 5:30 am to see the monks receive alms from the locals.  In Buddhism, giving alms in the form of food is supposed to be a way for lay Buddhists to show their respect for the monks and nuns who are "higher" or "more sentient" beings.

I found the whole ceremony a bit sad due to the busloads of tourists that lined up to give alms.  There is something quite distasteful about commercializing devotion.  Otherwise, we moved across the Nam Khan river to the Apsara Rive Droite.  We liked the BelleRive, but wanted to try a different style and location. The rooms at the Rive Droite were much larger and the bathroom contained a bathtub, but the key selling points were the huge veranda, the quieter surroundings, and... the pool!

View of the Nam Khan River

Apsara Rive Droite and the little motorboat that takes passengers back and forth

View from our room

I loved the fresh fruit readily available everywhere.  I drank fresh coconuts, mango and pineapple shakes, and freshly-pressed sugar cane juice (my favorite) with abandon.  I also gobbled my way through a bucket of mangosteens.  

bananas

jackfruit

We had lunch at Dyen Sabai, a lovely restaurant built like a tree house in bamboo groves.  The peaceful setting was very relaxing, both during the day and at night.

Lao barbecue/hotpot, called sindad

Farewell, Luang Prabang!