29 décembre 2012 Luang Prabang: the Nam Ou River
The Nam Ou River
Running up the Nam Ou river was one of the most striking moments of the whole trip: nature at its wildest, greatest and most magnificent. Such level of untouched beauty also reminded us that we were in the settings of F.F. Coppola’s « Apocalypse now » movie which shows the psychological degradation of an American soldier during the Vietnamese war as he runs up the Mekong river. Magnificent landscapes provide a mirror-inverted backdrop to the ugliness of the fights which will eventually lead the hero to blood-thirsty madness. « The horror, the horror » kept resonating in the hero’s troubled mind – and also, on that day, to our troublingly enchanted heads.
No fights to be witnessed on the shores though; instead the peaceful life of the fishermen.
Morning mist quickly disappears from the mountains.
Pak Ou caves
L’entrée des caves: pendant la crue, l’eau arrive tout en haut des escaliers.
During monsoon floods, the river reaches up the top of the stairs.
Inside the caves: thousands and thousands of statues of Buddha brought by pilgrims over countless centuries.
Weaving village
We are a bit bored of getting tempted by artifacts we have no intention of buying however threading and weaving machines spreading out in the streets offer a nice sight.
Beards’ paws soaking in acohol
Returning to Luang Prabang via the Mekong river
The setting sun alights the landscapes with an explosion of ocher shades, it was dazzling. Families and young people enjoy the end of the day by playing football on the shores in a joyful atmosphere.
The ‘bouquet final’ (as we say in french to describe the explosive end of fireworks):
Tomorrow was the last day in Luang Prabang before reaching the capital, Ventiane. During our last evening in the magnificent hotel-museum, I spot some employees celebrating Secret Santa in a corner of the restaurant, all sitting on the floor around cauldrons placed on firewood, in a festive ambiance. The new year is coming.
