TLC

Thailand, Laos and Cambodia

A few days of recuperation, sunbathing and generally chilling and my daughter quickly returned to her delightful self

although I wasn’t entirely sure why she was so keen to have a lesson in Thai boxing (Muay Thai) while she was with us.

Anyway, this was easily arranged and although exhausting, she clearly loved it!

I am always fascinated by the eclectic mix of people who either pass through or live here in Thailand. On our last evening in Hua Hin we had a brief conversation with a Belgian seated at the next table in our favourite sea food restaurant who was part of the sky diving team who broke the world record of 400 sky divers here in Thailand a few years back. Extraordinary!

And so to Luang Prabang, the royal capital of Laos right up until 1975 and a UNESCO World Heritage site. What a charming spot, nestling amongst the hills and mountains of the northern part of the country and truly a step back in time. No high rise blocks here. No fast food eateries. No karaoke. No noisy bars.

Just the inevitable temples, a lot French influenced old colonial style architecture and all dominated by

the mighty Mekong river, a tributary of which can easily be crossed by way of this rather rickety bamboo bridge but only in the dry season as once the rains come the structure is taken down and assembled again when the dry weather returns.

There doesn’t seem much purpose to this construction other than to enjoy the tranquility of the waterways and the stunning topography of this entire area

It is truly a beautiful part of the world where time seems to have stood still and Mother Nature is clearly in control. Some of the scenery is almost too good to be true and none more so than at the Kuang Si waterfalls which I can only describe as being more like a Disney film set than a creation of nature. The falls are incredible and made more spectacular by the intense blue colour of the water.

Apparently, as the water cascades over the limestone rocks, small copper particles are released which, when reflecting the light turn the water blue – or something like that.

Whatever the reason, the effect is amazing which I hope will also be the case when I finally go on a diet to lessen my Chinese Buddha- like outward appearance!

A sunset cruise on the Mekong is a tourist must and thoroughly worthwhile even though, once the sun falls behind the mountains, so does the thermometer. Watching the end of daytime in this way really does put life’s problems into perspective.

Luang Prabang and the surrounding area is stunning. There’s little to do here other than to enjoy the sense of history in this charmingly preserved town and just immerse yourself in the the beauty of the amazing scenery.

Next stop: Siem Reap in Cambodia. More culture but a very different environment.

R