Luang Nam Tha (LNT) was a place that we originally had really been looking forward to. Our guidebook described it as a good jumping off place for trekking. While in Luang Prabang we heard a tip that this time of year wasn’t the best time for trekking in that area, which was confirmed as we settled into the town and became suffocated by the smoke caused by shifting agriculture practices of the hill tribes (and is what prompted us to take advantage of the good conditions in Muang Ngoi). Even though we didn’t trek we still found some ways to spend our time. Here are a few stories from our days in LNT.
Both first and second nights we ate dinner with our new acquaintances, Dave and Rita. With their passion for food we found ourselves seeing Lao food in a different light. We tried things we wouldn’t have known to have tried and would not have appreciated them for what they were. Our second meal was one of the best we had in Laos and also was one of the most entertaining. What started as one hill tribe woman selling bracelets and hats soon multiplied by 5 and we were surrounded by bracelets, hats, purses, belts and Akha women dressed in their traditional outfits. At one point they had a hat for a baby on John’s head and were using sign language to show us how we could produce a baby to wear this hat (no, this did not give us any ideas). And for the third time in Laos John was subtly offered drugs. We were laughing hysterically through this scene and were only saved by our meal which finally arrived. This feast consisted of sticky rice, Laap, Jeow, and shittake mushrooms in a oyster sauce. If Dave were writing this post he would tell you more detail about these dishes but you will have settle for our links.
After talking with some other travellers we decided spend one of our days on a motor scooter headed for the town of Muang Sing. The 140km round trip drive was really nice as you went in and out of the national protected areas and past many roadside villages. We won’t waste your time describing the town of Muang Sing but 10 km past was where the real excitement was–the Chinese boarder. Unfortunately they wouldn’t let us put our feet on Chinese soil but we were able to snap a quick photo before the Laos guards encouraged us to turn around.
On our first full day we hiked up through a creek with a series of small waterfalls. Although the water level was low it as a very serene place to spend some time and also watch the local kids fish for their dinner. The bike ride out was very nice and had great views of rice paddy fields which prompted us to come back the next evening to watch the sunset. We got more than just a sunset as the local kids’ curiosity drew them over to us. We remembered we had a small stash of balloons still in our pack and spent the next 45 minutes blowing up balloons and playing with the kids. It was an authentic and organic experience and the kids and families seemed genuinely appreciative of our presence. We took pictures of them and they pulled out a camera phone and took pictures of us. As we played, the sun dropped behind the mountains, the darkness started to settled in and we knew it was time to go. It great as we rode away on our motorbike and the kids chased behind saying their thank yous and goodbyes. Definitely a highlight of the day.
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- Don’t you just want to take her home?
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- Having too much fun
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- Sunset over rice paddy
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- CHINA!!!
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- View of the countryside
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- We saw these everywhere
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- Village on a hill side
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- Fancy mirror work
