We hugely enjoyed Luang Prabang

|   |  Typical architecture |

 another example of the lovely buildings |   |
which is a beautiful, laid-back town (pop 26,000).

The only drawback was, as a World Heritage place (since 1995), it had been made impossible to hire a motorbike. This didn't matter as the city itself was entirely walkable, but to venture beyond, we had to join a tour, which we did when we visited the Kuang Si Waterfalls.

.
We spent several days just wandering around. We did try to see the Royal Museum

 The never-open Royal Palace Museum |   |
but it always seemed to be closed when we tried. We did, however, succeed in visiting a most beautiful temple over 500 years old - Wat Xieng Thong.

|   |  Tree of Life |
.

.

.
The town retains a very French colonial feel, as well as food influences

 Baguettes and brolleys |   |