We decided to get up early and take the bikes out to this waterfall 35K southwest of Luang Prabang. As we hadn't really been on the bikes since last Friday, we were really chomping at the bit to get onto the bikes again, albeit without the panniers since we wouldn't need them today. So we set off around 8:30 for the waterfall, cruising through the rural countryside, and everyone singing out "Sabaidee" to us. We loved the ride out there. Beautiful country, Laos, and I really do want to return and see more of the country for a much longer time and a more leisurely pace. The people are just so friendly here.
The local gas station attendant in rural Laos......
We arrived at the waterfall, and wow...awesome!!! There were sanctuaries there for save the Moon Bear which is an Asian species of black bear with a white marking like a moon on it's chest. They had maybe 25 bears there that some international wildlife association had rescued from poachers. Poaching of the bears and tigers (Asian tigers are in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and China) are a big thing for the bones and penis's (I'm not making this up) and bile which the Japanese consider as an aphrodisiac and buy this stuff on the black market.
Moon Bears Asian Tiger
We continued down the trail and came upon the first set of falls. You then walk further and end up at this huge waterfall cascading for about 70 meters............see pics..........
As we were hiking back down the trail to the parking area, we came across the two little girls and it was a true Kodak moment......
We had lunch at this great little food stall...I had this wonderful grilled fish..........
Following lunch, we rode back to Luang Prabang. On the way out, we'd seen this woman who was weaving silk textiles on a loom so we stopped on the way back and each purchased a beautiful handmade silk shawl. Some were just just incredibly intricate patterns.........
And that concluded the day....we arrived back in Luang Prabang and just as we got into town, it started raining. We had not seen rain in all the time we'd been here but it really started pouring well..it felt great to be riding in the rain. Unfortuantely, it continued to rain most of the evening and we didn't get out to go to dinner until late. All the markets were closed and we ended up getting food at the local food stalls...me and my fresh Spring rolls...Colin and his French baguette bread! Ha!
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