North of Luang
Prabang, along the Mekong River, there is a tourist attraction, the Pak Ou cave.
The cave is about 1 hour boat trip from Luang Prabang. Every day, from morning,
boats offer trip to Pak Ou from Luang Prabang. The ticket can be bought from local
tourist agencies or guest houses.
Departure from a
small jetty at the river bank, just tens of meters away from the famous Wat
Xieng Tong. The small jetty is full with tourists from every corner of the
world every morning. Luang Prabang is a miracle place; you will always make new
friends and meet them again around the city. The jetty too, is a place of this miracle;
you will easily meet your new friend there. This jetty is not only for boats to
Pak Ou cave, but also boats to hill tribes trip of Northern Laos.
Trip to Pak Ou
included stop and visit to village produces Laos rice wine (is a type of Laos
whisky called Lao Lao) and silk. Every boat caters 6 tourists. Jet out from the
jetty, the boat will move all the way to the North. During December, cold wind
along the river, it is comfortable. Mekong River is a great river. It breeds
millions of life a long it path from Tibet in China to Vietnam before flows
into South China Sea. Measure at 4000-plus meters long, Mekong River is the
most important water source for the Laos people. For generations, they make
living from the river. Rode on Mekong River, you can see that the river is very
large (never see such large river in Malaysia, no competition at all).
Light mist and chilly
wind, grey sky and cold water, this is the late year Mekong River earlier in
the morning. December to February every year, Northern Laos is cooler. Along
the river, forests and mountains, a great natural. Further to the North, after
the Whisky Village, closer to Pak Ou, the sky became crystal clear. No more
misty grey sky and chilly wind; replaced by clear blue sky and warming weather.
Nice trip!
Small jetty of Whisky Village
Silk stores in Whisky Village. Many of the villagers selling silks in the village.
"Steamer" for Laos Whisky
Filtered Whisky are store here for sometimes before sold.
Pak Ou Cave view from Mekong River
Small jetty of Pak Ou Cave
There are two caves
at Pak Ou, the Lower Cave and the Upper Cave. The mouth of the Lower Cave is a
prominent landmark visible from the Mekong River. Paved pathways lead up to
this cave as well as to the Upper Cave, which is about 60 meters above the
river. There are about 2,500 sculptures of Buddha found in the lower cave.
Steps walk up to lower cave
The entrance of the
Upper Cave is enclosed by a carved wooden frieze once supported two massive
wooden doors. A sculpture of a disciple Buddha sits on a pedestal beside the
entrance. Inside the cave is quite dark, especially at the rear. Inside the
cave is also sculptures of Buddha.
Below are evening view of Mekong River in Luang Prabang.
Written by Chung Yee
Photography by Chung Yee & Tsuey Kean
