Luang Prabang: Highlights and Reviews

The Good:

• Luang Prabang: Yes the town itself! It’s very charming and probably the most relaxing place!
• Lovely people!
• Scenic views on the Nam Khan and Mekong.
• Boat rides on the Mekong.
• Lao coffee, baguettes, fresh cheese, fresh fruit shakes and pastries – what’s there not to like?
• Tasty Lao food: Subtle flavors. I finally stopped gobbling food up and actually enjoying each morsel!
• Lao Airlines: Surprised? On time! Good service!
• Chatting with novice monks.
• Listening to monks chanting in the evening at a local wat. One of our lives’ most surreal experiences.
• Lovely countryside.

The bad:

• Tak Baat: Thanks to all the insensitive tourists.
• Very cold mornings and evenings. Hot afternoons.
• Expensive arts and craft shops.
• My sore throat. It kept me feeling tired and in bed.

Reviews/Recommendations:

• Hotel: The Apsara Luang Prabang: Recommended, but get the superior rooms. The standard rooms cost a bit but are smaller and have just bare essentials.

• Restaurants
  • Tum Tum Bamboo: Excellent Lao food. Highly recommended.
  • Nazim’s Indian: South Indian fare is better than North Indian. They serve tofu instead of real paneer.
  • Nisha Indian: Poor service. Mediocre food. Not recommended.
  • Vegetarian buffet at night market: Highly recommended.
  • The Apsara Restaurant: Excellent and attentive service. Their menu is slightly lacking for vegetarians, but they were accommodating and brought special food for us. It was delicious. For Lao, the price is higher, but wort it. Highly Recommended.
  • Numerous Cafe’s on the banks of the Mekong: Great for getting a baguette sandwich for lunch. Highly recommended.
  • Scandinavian Bakery: Expensive coffee and pastries. You can get better food elsewhere for half the price. Not recommended.
  • JoMA Bakery: Excellent coffee and pastries. Highly recommended.