Luang Prabang - Day 1

We're here. It's so lovely to be back! especially as well to be staying at the Apsara Hotel. Luang Prabang truly is such a laid back place. There are loads of things to do but if you didn't have time as well to just chill and hang out I don't think you'd see the best of Luang Prabang. So far we've actually been quite busy. As soon as we arrived it was a quick shower and change as we'd arranged to meet our friend Alan in a local bar and as we were delayed from Bangkok for an hour whilst they waited for the mist to lift in Luang Prabang there wasn't time for anything else. Alan is Director for an English charity LEOT which supports promising young Lao students who ordinarily wouldnt have the opportunity to study beyond high school. For quite some time now LEOT has been wanting to open a school in Laos to teach English taught by English teachers. It's been an ongoing struggle trying to secure the funding, location and government permissions but in November this year it all finally came together and Alan yesterday took us to the site where the foundations are going in. The builders are living on site in a 3 walled lean to they've built. A bit chilly one would have thought as its winter but I'm sure theyve got a stash of LaoLao fire water for some internal heating. We got back in time for a couple of Beer Laos's before heading out for sups. Right opposite the hotel on the river is a lovely little restaurant that does barbecue soup. Sounds a strange one. Basically a dome with a trough around it that sits over hot coals. The meat goes on the dome and in the trough is poured stock and in it goes fresh veg and salad and an egg that cooks in the stock. Add some tamarind sauce, bits of chili and garlic together with several bottles of beer Lao - absolutely delicious. We followed it off by some Lao coffee and a cake from one of the local french type cafes and as i earlier said - we've arrived and very good it is too! Tomorrow we go on a cycle ride.