Bolger Family Travels: Rolling, Rolling On Mekong

After leaving the grounds of the National Palace, we walked the streets of Luamg Prabang, through some temples, and past some pretty flowers to the boat for our cruise along the Mekong River.

The last of the two temples deserves a little mention. The full name of the temple is Wat Xiang Thongsayaroharamathibodimavaihanh temple. The short name of the temple is shorter. Much shorter. Honestly, though, I forget it.

(Editor: I think that's the record for the longest word ever on this blog. Are you sure you spelled it right. Writer: It IS the longest word ever on this blog. As for the spelling, I took a picture and then wrote it out, so I'm pretty sure, but I can't guarantee it.)

Anyhow, it's the temple featured on the 2,000 Kip bill. Kips, as we all have known for years, are the currency of Laos. One US dollar equals roughly 21,000 Kip, whilst it only takes about $48 USD to be a Kip millionnaire.

(Editor: None of your readers knew what a "Kip" is until either reading this or going to Laos themselves. Writer: It's rhetorical device that makes it clear that none of my readers knew what a "Kip" is until either reading this or going to Laos themselves.)

Needless to say, the group all joked about being millionnaires!

(Editor: Sigh. Don't tell me that saying it after writing "needless to say" and then saying it is also a rhetorical device. Writer: Okay, I won't tell you, but it is. Editor: Aargh!)

The temple is right by the Mekong River and is relatively small, but it is pretty to walk around the different small buildings. There's even a large gong you can bang with your hand. It makes for a satisfying gong sound.

Tree of Life selfie!

The full name of the temple. Check my

spelling if you want, and let me know

if there's any errors. Odds are high.

Monks these days. Can't get

them off their smart phones!

It's a different angle, but

this is the temple on the

2000 Kip note. That's

less than a dime in USD.

Bang a gong, get it on, bang a gong.

This green thing looks like

it was designed by Gaudi.

Elephants will always have

a place on this blog.

We headed 20 miles up the Mekong to the Pak Ou caves, also known as the Buddha Caves. Most of the cruise was in rural areas, although we passed a few small towns. We saw water buffalo along the river, as well as cows and a prison. As we were getting close to a lengthy bridge, a train picturesquely took the bridge across the river. I was so busy watching the train I forgot to take pictures.

We also saw some apparent houseboats, and enjoyed a lunch of varied Laos food made by the family that owns and operates the boat. It was pretty chill.

There are two caves, the Lower and the Upper. The Lower cave is relatively small and filled with various Buddha statues. It was relatively underwhelming, as any stalagtite and stalagmite in both caves are completely dead from human touch.

The upper cave, which we were told by Bun was just one hundred stairs up the cliffs, turned out to be much longer. On the way backdown, group members jokingly disgruntled with Bun’s stairs estimation, counted around 245-246 stairs, which meant he missed it by that much (Get Smart gif). Bun took the good-natured complaining well, pointlessly proclaiming his innocence. Well, I’m betting future tour groups that he leads will hear the 245 number.

The Upper cave is much deeper, and there is a modestly more interesting display of Buddhas inside.

After returning to the boat, most of us sat outside, chatting and watching the Laos coumtryside go by. Some of the others sat inside, playing hearts.

Another train crossed on the same bridge, as I joked that the train goes just a little further, circles around, and crosses again the next time a sightseeing boat goes by. It was a pleasant way to pass the afternoon.