Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm event/venue details in advance.
Laos : Luang Prabang - July 2008 Country Code: Dial +856 for Laos
FROM THE AIRPORT
Hotel mini-bus:
Higher-end hotels have a shuttle service to and from the airport. Costs around $5 and takes 10 minutes.
Tuk-tuk:
These can be arranged at the airport desk. One tuk-tuk costs 50,000 kip (about US$5). This is a flat rate for up to five people, to any destination.
TABLE TALK
Cheap chic
Night market stalls
(On Sisavangvong Road beside Ancient Luang Prabang. )
Whether youâre a vegetarian, meat-lover, noodle enthusiast or dessert fanatic, eat like a king for a few dollars at the numerous stalls along the side alley. Indulge in grilled meat and fish, noodle soups and salads, spicy dips and relishes, and sweets made from coconut.
Mid-range magic
Blue Lagoon
(Ban Choumkhong. Tel. (0)71 253698)
Dine in one of the prettiest restaurants in town, with a leafy courtyard and white marquee outside and a cosy dining room inside. The great food ranges from Lao dishes to Thai specialities and Western delights to tantalise every palate.
Gourmet
Les 3 Nagas
(Sakkarine Road, Ban Wat Sene. Tel. (0)71 253888)
Set in a beautiful colonial villa, this dinner-only restaurant serves delicious and traditional Lao cooking in a beautiful and elegant setting. The 3 Nagas may come with Western comforts but the scrumptious food is entirely Lao. www.3nagas.com
AFTER DARK
Cocktail hour
The House
(Kingkitsarath Road, Ban Aphay. )
Also known as Banana Bistro, this is a converted
Lao house with an open-air terrace. Located down
the road from the Hive Bar, the House off ers a wide selection of drinks and cocktails at great prices.
Late night
Hive Bar
(Kingkitsarath Road, Ban Aphay. )
This hip bar, with its eclectic music and interesting
mix of travellers and locals, is one of the few places
that stays open long after most of Luang Prabang
has gone to sleep.
BODY & SOUL
Spa Garden
(Ban Phoneheuang (near 3 Nagas Hotel). Tel. (0)71 212325)
Considered to be one of the most comfortable and sophisticated spas in town, the ever-reliable Spa Garden off ers relaxing rubdowns. If youâre feeling indulgent, go for the good-value packages and spend a whole day there.
BOUTIQUE BEDS
Sala Luang Prabang
(102/6 Thanon Ounkham, Xieng Mouane. Tel. (0)71 252460)
Taking over the former home of a noble family, this building is the
ultimate in boutique, with exposed stone walls, wooden beams, refurbished original patterned ceramic floor tiles and fine fabrics. www.luang_prabang_hotels.com
HOT SPOTS
The Peninsula –The tip of Luang Prabang is home
to Wat Xieng Thong, the most atmospheric temple
of all, as well as a smattering of quality restaurants
and shops. This calm stretch is a lovely place for
hassle-free walking and quiet contemplation.
INSIDER TIPS
Coffee crazy –Laos produces some of the finest Arabica coff ee beans in the world. Grown in the Bolaven Plateau in the south, Lao coffee is strong enough to wake you up, sweet enough to give you a quick sugar rush and scrumptious enough to get you addicted. Make sure you have a cup when youâre in Luang Prabang. The iced version is deliciously sweet, earthy and rich.
DAY TRIPPING
Handicraft Villages –Located around Luang
Prabang, these villages are a great way to see
first-hand the rural way of life and how traditional
craft s are produced. Ban Chan Pottery Village
is known for its clay pottery; Ban Had Hianâs
blacksmiths are legendary; Ban Sang Khong
produces beautiful Saa paper; and Ban Xieng
Lek is devoted to textiles and silk-making.
IN THE KNOW
Even before they begin to collect alms, Luang
Prabangâs monks and novices start chanting at
dawn every morning. Wake up early and linger
near a temple to witness this amazing practice.
Compiled by Thin Lei Win
Previous issues for Luang Prabang
Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm event/venue details in advance.
