Tuesday, 6 January 2026: Luang Prabang

January 6, 2021 -- five years later.  What have we learned?

Brunch at Zurich -- a Swiss Bakery!!  A real English breakfast.  

Three hour massages. Three!  I had aromatherapy oil massage, facial, head and neck. Justin opted for aromatherapy, head and neck, and legs and feet. Three hours. 

Walk about our town. Making Luang Prabang our own, then dinner. 

We went to a local outdoor restaurant this evening. Phonheuang Cafe. It was great!  It might have looked questionable to some but not to travelers as experienced as Justin and me. We started with fried river weeds (think nori with sesame seeds) and fried spring rolls. The yummy spring rolls came with a plate of veggies to make accompanying lettuce rolls so we had our salad here. Then entrees: I ordered their special of the day: khoa soi. A spicy noodle soup, very popular in northern Thailand. Here it didn’t have crispy noodles on top like the Thai dish of the same name but instead more fresh veggies to sprinkle on top. Justin ordered a ginger chicken dish. Both were scrumptious. Our bill 235,000kip ($10.88). Oh, yes, we also had two bottles of water. 

Monday, 5 January 2026: Luang Prabang

Up way too early to watch football.  Packers fell to the Vikings.  So, so sad.  

Brunch at Banneton, more of a European vibe and menu.  Very welcomed!

   

Justin explored some on his own. My stomach was threatening. 

Later, in the day we were back at it.  Temples.  Shopping at markets like locals, ogling over the mountain tribal textiles and handicrafts like tourists, enjoying a glass of French wine and/or a local dark beer at a street side cafe like, well, Justin and Paula. 

      

        

   

   

Sunday, 4 January 2025: Luang Prabang

 

We were on our way to to the Phosy Market, the main market in town. Justin was looking for a rain coat.  He did not find success but I did find instant coffee packets. That’s almost as depressing as the market but at least I found it. 

Later, we tripped upon the Ock Pop Tok Living craft center.  A super dive into Lao textiles. I was in heaven!  And we really did just happen upon this venue. Set in lush gardens right on the Mekong, we learned all about silk worms, cotton, hemp, spinning, weaving, batiks, natural fibers and dyes.  And then, their restaurant:  we enjoyed guacamole and buffalo.  I know I’ve had Bison, but this might be a first for water buffalo. 
                     

 

             

                         

  

Meanwhile, Mamdami is sworn in as the Mayor of NYC using a Koran.  US military personnel capture the Venezuela president without congressional approval. (Illegal?  Yes. In line with the constitution?  Nope. Unwise?  Likely). Parts of the purged Epstein files are released … enough to end almost any other politicians career.   Do you see me shaking my head… again?

I am planning a sewing project -- a cover for my Kitchen Aide in Green Bay. 
These kleenex covers will serve to remind me that there are no rules with colors.  

Saturday, 3 January 2026: new hotel

New hotel, but still Luang Prabang.
We were not happy at all with our hotel so we moved across the street. There were too many dust bunnies, and just too many tings not quite right. There was a bit of a mix up with charges but they made it right by refunding our last night. And, we moved across the street to the Villa Mira Hotel. This also tempted us to extend for a few nights as we are settling in to this town. 

Justin has encouraged me to take a cooking class here but I am holding out for Hanoi. Laotian food is ok but not good enough to inspire me to need to recreate it at home.   I’ll go back to the Swiss bakery for sure, and maybe that little wine shop next door. 

A few more sites from a walk-about.

   

Friday, 2 January 2026: Luang Prabang

Justin went out hunting for bread.  Gotta love it when the man of the house does the hunting and gathering. We’d seen a Swiss bakery when we were out and about. The bar was pretty low to best the Wonder Bread toast that came with breakfast yesterday. Thankfully he thought it was worth the journey.   He came home with a delicious multigrain loaf with oats on the outside, a half loaf of raisins/walnut bread and two delicious looking chocolate almond croissants.  They did not disappoint!

Lazy afternoon and then … time to shop. Justin found a raincoat yesterday when we were shopping. Why he didn’t buy it then I can not tell you because this afternoon we couldn’t find it. We couldn't even find the shop.  (Thankfully I bought my apron and dish towels yesterday.). We think we found the store but not the jacket. I’m still thinking we will find what he needs in Hanoi.   A couple more temples and a bit more roaming before we settled in for sunset and dinner along the river. 

             

I was reminded just how grateful am I that Justin and I do not have dietary restrictions. Sure we have likes and preferences but we do not have strict rules that we need to follow for our health. Everywhere I have been in the last 20-30 years, restaurants, tour groups, pot lucks, home cooks (and I) have made accommodations for those who do have allergies, etc.  I have dear friends who have real health issues. I have traveled with people for whom this is a way of life.  I just overheard a guy at the next table send his entree back because he’d ordered it without chicken and he got chicken. I don't know his story...I am just saying I am grateful… and I hope he enjoys his tofu. 

Thursday, 1 January 2026: Luang Prabang.

  

Thursday, 1 January 2026: Luang Prabang 

Happy New Year!!!
Breakfast in our hotel. Met two nice German ladies who were just starting a 4-week trip. We shared Channa’s contact information for when they are in Seim Reap. 
Early afternoon we headed out to explore. 

From Justin's Facebook:  Found a lovely riverside bistro for a snack and refreshing adult beverage. The pork stuffed lemongrass and mango/sticky rice/coconut milk dessert were both topnotch.

We found a great little riverside bistro, Viewpoint Park, to hang for a while. As tempted as we were by fresh spring rolls, we tried new items.  I wasn’t too impressed with the blue mango sticky rice we made in our cooking class. Even though the coloring was natural and had no flavor, it was SO blue. This was much better. 

On to round two…
No black eyed peas.  No leafy greens.  What’s a girl to do?  Well, the next best thing to do is going back to the tastes and flavors of home.  Mexican food at Manolo’s Mexican Eatery.  Guacamole, chips and salsa and a Baja Bowl from the local Mexican food joint.  We might have missed this place if Google hadn’t been directing us as it had very little presence on the street.  The sign was quite small but then the restaurant cascaded down the  mountain thereby offering a fabulous view especially at sunset.  

Exploring in the early evening was totally different from last night… thankfully.  The hubbub of NYE was over and now we could enjoy the environs.  Of course we found another night market and some more temples.  Maybe there is hope for Luang Prabang after all.  

Cute little beverage trolley/golf cart.  I'll drive.  

 Wat Pa Phi at night. And that is why we are in the old city.