Luang Namtha

Luang Namtha is the place to do a trekking in Lao trough the deeps jungles forests with minorities etnies villages. The treks have to been done by a authorized guide, and the number of groups are limited. With this rule they try (theoretically) do less tourist impact on the villages. The Word Eco tourism is everywhere in Luang Namtha ...
At the bus I meet Jon (Oregon, USA), he is going the same way that I am. We were eating a noodles at the night market and I meet again Richard and Natalie. All together and Kevin (Canada) went to look witch treks are offered...
We decide to do Mhong trek, 2 days doing overnight in a home stay.

Nong Khiaw & Muang Ngoi Neua

Nong Khiaw is a village next to the river Nam Ou sorrounded by majestic mountains where you can do trekkings to see some caves and waterfalls and at the same time you can visit small villages.

Luang Prabang

Get to Luang Prabang it's been difficult. The road was close becouse the rain. Long Cue and the road transformed as a market and play zone... in 10 hours you can do a lot of things! At least the landscape was very pretty...

I started the book Mr Nice by Howard Marks.

At the bus I meet Richard, Natalie, Cris i Paul (UK), Sara (NZ), and Jordana (Canada). We arribe at Luang Prabang arround 4 in the morning!
We end at the same Guest House. We went to see the monks arround the streets of Luang Prabang and we rest.

The city is so cute thanks to be sorrouned by the big Mekong river, houses with french style and busdist temples everywhere.
Next morning, I went for a run and after breakfast, we went to visit the Kouangxi Water Fall (Tat Kuang Si Waterfalls) an espectaculars waterfalls with some swiming areas... so refreshing!

This city is a relax city. I walk trought the market, fruit shake, Vegetarian buffet...

Some Photos
2010-07-Luang Prabang (LAO) https://photos.app.goo.gl/UEu2fvZoa9eekjYj7
 
---
Versió catalana

Vang Vieng

This village follows the Mekong river and surrounded by rocky mountains with plenty of caves and lagoons to swim.
And also... a lot of accommodations, restaurants, tolls to get to the bridge and caves...
I liked the first part.

It's been raining 3 days! It's time to have some rain in my trip, isn't it???

I went to walk about 20 km around the surroundings of Vang vieng to Tham Poukham Cave, and i swim in a nice lagoon (...raining). One friend of mine would say "The world is for the brave"

At Champa Lao Guesthouse, I meet Tomas and Claudia (Sweden and Chile) and we share talks and meals with Dominique and Linda (Switzerland EUA/Jamaica)

I do Raiki with Claudia...

Some Photos
2010-07-Vang Vieng (LAO) https://photos.app.goo.gl/umHY4jgwDqvBPMBb6

---
Versió catalana 
---

Vientiane

It's been hard to leave Vietnam. More than 26 hours by non-comfortable bus. 26 hours incluiding an hour and a half cose a breakdown and another hour waiting for the open time of the Laos border...

I can say it was entertaining see how they put more and more people where you can say is impossible.
The Backpacks at the roof with a lot of staff to be deliver...

After all this, dinner and sleep hours and hours... I'm at Vientiane!
Next morning, bike. I go to the chinise embassy to ask for the Visa (I've got it in 24h!)
After I do the visit to the capital of Lao (Pah That Luang, Patuxai, etc..)
And at the afternoon with a danish couple, I go to visit the Budda Park (Van Xieng Khuan) about 25 km from the centre of Vientiane, and it worth... a garden next to the river with all kinds of budda's.

Next day rains a lot... I decide to do the ride to the embassy with the bike... and then the bus to VangVien.

Some Photos
2010-07-Vientane (LAO) https://photos.app.goo.gl/Lstt443QfgpPHjucA

---
Versió catalana 
---