Once travelling in Luang Prabang, the fabulous former capital of Laos, let be slow down, and there’s no reason for you to deny a peaceful life among graceful space fragrant with sweet scent of flowers.
This “land of traditional culture and Buddhism”, also a “paradise of peace” is developing with hotels, bars and crowded restaurants grow over the city. The most bustling street is located right in the main quarter near Phousi mountain. It’s in the middle and parallel with two rivers that banks are covered with yellow sappanwood flowers (or “dock khoun”) blooming radiantly in summer sunshine, Muntingia calabura trees fruiting thorough-red berries, and violet Alexandrian laurel buds.
In spite development, Luang Prabang still retains its lovely features of silent and still small ways. From the main street, turn into one of two sides, so easy to realize dozens of little lanes leading to the riverside – pretty and clean ones featuring porches brimful of luxuriant leaves and flowers, melodious bird calls, and wooden fences that hibiscus flowers blow up with multi-colors. Sunshine scatters on each lane, slanting through flower canopy fluttering in breezes.
The lanes are gently sloping down to the riverside. Here, houses all have a little garden with some flower-pots and parterres blooming fully right in front of gates. Appearing intermittently behind oodles of leaves and flowers, there are little wooden houses with two stunning stories. Rooms all have windows looking out lanes or gardens, and a spacious balcony redolent with scent of flowers and cool by wind constant blowing from the river. Broad yards are laid tables and chairs under canopy of green trees, and also swaying swings. Hotels in the lanes are also designed in this style, just a bit different as there is additionally a small, lovely signboard outside to notify travelers. Not flaunt with big, grand or colorful boards, everything harmonizes with hues and surrounding natural scenery.
Along the lanes, wooden benches and chairs are set too below canopy of trees, enhancing more grace for these green paths. No noise of cars and motorbikes, just sound of steps rustling on yellow dry leaves and chirping of birds.
Immersing a wonderful life among nature is a great experience in Luang Prabang, where everything is truly quiet and tranquil: ancient pagodas with green moss spreading throughout streets, delightful lanes glistening in sunshine, houses nestling serenely in fresh shadow of green trees, and roads along the river meek and affable in light of sundown.
Anyone reaching this city also finds soul and heart lighter. Strange guests can walk a whole day on these lanes without getting bored, or cycle leisurely in every afternoon. After minutes comfortably strolling in a world of leaves and flowers, let sit down at a porch to rest and talk with friendly locals, as a great way to understand the residents in Luang Prabang.
When night comes, the lanes are shiny in silver moonlight. Instrument sound is melodious somewhere from a garden. Amble then stop, sit down and linger, let enjoy a little cool taste of beerlao in fragrance of frangipani flowers floating in the air. So graceful!
