48 Hours in Luang Prabang
FRIDAY
7pm: Start your weekend at Dao Faa, a friendly bar on the main Sisavangvong road with a happy hour that lasts from 5pm till 9pm. It%26#39;s a no-frills place but great for watching the world go by.
8pm: Tamarind is usually only open for lunch, except on Fridays where a special banquet of Lao Celebration Feast (Pun Pa) is held. Book in advance and for 70,000 kip ($US7) you get the delicious combination of barbecued fish marinated in local herbs for mains and purple sticky rice with coconut milk for dessert. Scrumptious.
10pm: If you have an early morning, Pack Luck wine bar on the main drag is the place for a chilled evening. Sit on the beanbags outside and enjoy your sauvignon blanc.
SATURDAY
6.00am: A visit to Luang Prabang is incomplete if you don%26#39;t see the Tak Bat (the monks%26#39; daily alms collection). The sight of hundreds of saffron-robed monks in the early morning mist is both inspiring and humbling, despite the increasing presence of package tourists. Best place to be is on Sisavangvong Road past the 3 Nagas by 6am.
7.30am: Once the monks have quietly - in spite of the sheer numbers - disappeared from view, it%26#39;s time for your breakfast. Try any one of the bakeries on the street where the freshly baked bread will restore you to your senses.
8.30am: Get up close and personal with the animals that gave Lao its moniker, %26quot;Land of the Million Elephants%26quot;. Tiger Trails is a well-respected eco-tourism company with an elephant camp 15km out of town where elephants receive a comfortable retirement. Sit on the back of these graceful creatures as they take you through the river crossing and the lush jungle. Afterwards, take a 15-minute boat ride to the beautiful Tad Sae waterfall, most impressive during the wet season.
12.00pm: Tiger Trails also operate the charming Lao Spirit Resort. If you don%26#39;t have time for an overnight stay, have a simple lunch here while enjoying the mountainous surroundings.
1.30pm: Not many associate Luang Prabang with shopping, but the place is teeming with gorgeous boutiques showcasing beautiful textiles. Check out Kopnoi (exhibition in the gallery upstairs is also worth checking out), Ock Pop Tok (worth checking out their weaving centre on the bank of the Mekong or taking a dyeing class), Lisa Regale and Laha Sinh, all on the main strip.
3.30pm: If shopping has tired you out, stop by at the picturesque Don Savanh Aphay restaurant, located on an island in the Nam Khan River and only open during the dry season. With a rickety bridge, bamboo huts and ice-cold Beer Lao, this is as Lao as they come.
4.30pm: Time to work your legs again and climb the famous Mount Phousi. There is a pagoda at the top and it%26#39;s great for panoramic sunset views.
6.00pm: Get an insight into the Lao culture and enjoy the Royal Ballet Theatre%26#39;s Lao version of the legend of Ramayana at the National Theatre, the former Royal Palace. Shows start at 6.00.
7.00pm: Luang Prabang%26#39;s night markets are legendary. Browse through the colorful wares but be aware that many products are from neighboring countries and not made in Laos. For dinner, street stalls in the alleys beside the Ancient Luang Prabang Hotel are a great way to get to know local food. The amalgam of grilled chicken and fish, vegetarian dishes, desserts and noodle shops is mouth-watering to say the least.
9.30pm: Saturday nights at Hive Bar are not to be missed. The stylish watering hole with comfy cushions, resident DJ and some potent cocktails is always bustling and the cool, their eclectic music selection helps. SUNDAY
9.00am: Have a lazy Sunday morning to make up for a full day yesterday. But if you need some pick-me-up, nothing beats a cup of steaming Lao coffee and noodle soup for breakfast. There are many local food stalls on the main street but the rundown place opposite the H%26#39;mong Market is arguably the best.
10.00am: There are more than 30 temples in Luang Prabang so if you don%26#39;t want to feel overwhelmed, choose wisely. One of the oldest and most atmospheric is Wat Xieng Thong, but also worth a stop are the large and ornate Wat Saen and the expansive grounds of Wat Visoun.
12.30pm: Time for some nature. Pick up your picnic lunch at Tamarind (arrange in advance) and head out to the famous Kuang Xi waterfalls, an hour%26#39;s drive out of town. Don%26#39;t forget the camera - both the fall and the scenery along the way are spectacular.
4.00pm: Tired from all the exertions? Stop by at Lao Red Cross on Visounnlath Road for a traditional steam bath and massage. For a little over $US1, you%26#39;ll be as fresh as daisy when you%26#39;re done. Even better, proceeds go to finance the organization%26#39;s relief efforts.
5.30pm: One of the best ways to enjoy an evening in Luang Prabang is to take a stroll along the banks of Nam Khan and Mekong rivers. The breeze is fresh , the location scenic, and there are many cafes and restaurants along the riverside for that sunset view.
7.00pm: Sunday evenings need not be dull if you dine at The Apsara. The setting may be a bit plain but the delicious fusion menu more than makes up for it. From the salads to the tagines and homemade desserts, it%26#39;s the only way to bring in a new week.
