Don't feel too bad...breakfast and take the tuk-tuk to the old Luang Prabang(LP) city center. Visit the President's Grand Palace. LP was once the capital of Lao before Vientene. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to take pictures of the Palace museum. Two features stand out...the throne room is quite large and it's walls are covered my intricate glass mosaics which depict Lao history, life and wars. It took 8 artisans 3 1/2 years to decorate these walls. The second feature is the presence of the PraBang Buddha which is the most revered Buddha statue/icon in Lao. It originally came from Sri Lanka and moved between various countries before residing in LP.
Visited a couple of other Wats, Seen and Sop, and met some monks who could speak English. They wanted to practice their English and I wanted to know more about them. One of the monks ...20 years of age...came from a village in northern Lao..has been a monk for 7 years..wants to enter LP University to study information technology.... didn't get his family name.
Visited the most beautiful of LP Wats...the famous Wat Xiang Thong. It is exceptional in beauty and functionality. Look at the sweeping roof..looks like the wings of a bird. See the miniature painting on the wall of the SIM, main prayer building, with the depiction of the penalty for adultery, lying, etc....look at the Buddha images and other beautiful icons.... Look at the funeral carriage which transported the last king , upright, to his cremation..
LP is an enjoyable small city..it is easy to get around and there is a host of activities within the city and in the outlying areas...elephant riding, zip wiring through jungle canopy, white water, trekking, visiting the caves and water falls, etc....
Walked around the city...met Charlie and Frances for lunch...updated the BLOG until 5PM...a nice leisurely day to relax and get back on my feet..
Simon is not feeling well and Jun is recovering...he was hit hard at both ends...
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