Vacations....I'm sure everyone can agree, we all need 'em!!!! Every now and then it's absolutely essential to have some down-time and get away for a bit to recharge the batteries. It doesn't have to be somewhere far away, even a "staycation" is better than nothing. It's just important to occasionally take a break from your normal routine and "paws" to really enjoy the moment.
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| Sunset on the Mekong |
A favorite "staycation" of mine is to pitch a tent with my parents in our living room and camp out for a night. The lineup usually includes something grilled, s'mores, hot cocoa, and cuddling up in the brisk air-con. If we didn't live somewhere so dang hot we'd camp outside in our backyard, but here in sweaty Thailand that would be more of a nightmare than a vacation!
As part of a quick getaway a few weeks ago my parents visited Luang Prabang, Laos. It was a short four-day trip, but it did a world of wonder for their overall well-being. The little town (just around 50,000 people) lies at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. With August right in the middle of rainy season, the plants were extra lush and green and the Mekong River rushed along with a steady flow a lot like rich, chocolate milk. In LP there are no Starbucks, 7/11's, large chain resorts, traffic lights, and best of all...no traffic jams!!!! Since Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage site, it happily won't be changing anytime soon either. As you can imagine it gave my parent's a much needed change of pace from the constant hustle and bustle of hectic city life in Bangkok.
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| The Nam Khan meeting the Mighty Mekong! |
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| Sabaidee! |
The quiet, relaxed town has a unique mix of French Colonial and traditional Lao architecture. The streets are peppered with French cafes and bistros, and the smell of freshly baked baguettes lingers heavy in the air. It's the absolute perfect place to unwind over a glass of wine...or a bottle ;) With fresh air blowing in through the open window shutters and squeaky, old one-speed bicycles passing by, you'll find yourself questioning whether you're in a sleepy Southeast Asian town or a small village in Southern France! As soon as the breeze stops and the sweat begins to drip down your back, though, you'll quickly realize you are indeed still in steamy Southeast Asia :)
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| Tamarind Restaurant in Luang Prabang. A fun place to taste and learn about all the unique flavors of Lao cusine. The water buffalo will rock your world! |
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| Peekabooooooo! |
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| Champagne pairs well with EVERYTHING! |
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| Kuang Si Waterfalls |
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| This bridge wasn't so fun to cross at night! |
It was a short, but oh-so-sweet trip, packed with lots of wonderful memories. That's what vacations are all about....making memories that will last a lifetime.
If you're considering going to Luang Prabang, check out Le Bel Air Boutique Resort! My parents absolutely LOVED IT!!! Cute, reasonably priced rooms with a tasty breakfast spread, incredible friendly staff and management, and they even have free bike rentals!
I hear relaxing beach vacations are the best for energizing and rejuvenating the soul. Maybe we can get one of those on the calendar sometime soon! ;)
