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#8 - Off to Laos

Our last morning in Thailand we were treated to a great walking tour offered by the hotel, free of charge. We visited 3 temples near the hotel with the fabulous Kan, the concierge. She was able to explain much regarding Buddhism that had escaped me.



Our trip on Lao Airways, who has a spotty safety record, was uneventful. The twin prop plane only held 62 people, mostly all under 30 years old. We were met by our next guide, LanXang, who is cute and charming.


Welcome, Comrade.......

LanXang

We were whisked to our new hotel, Le Sen Boutique Hotel - only 10 minutes or so from the airport. Luang Prabang is much smaller than the last town.....only 68,000. It is cute, walkable, charming, full of interesting architecture, and.......really cold...!! Everyone here is excited that their winter has finally begun - but not me. This is too cold for what I’ve packed, and with the (continued) overcast skies I’m not sure how to dress...it’s only 18 degrees (C). 


Dinner was outstanding, at a place LanXang recommended - Manda de Lao. It is a drop- dead gorgeous restaurant, in a unique setting - a kind of indoor/outdoor place, set around a UNESCO protected lily pond. Our food was terrific, we ordered too much (again), and I’m looking forward to exploring this Communist country.....another first for me.

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