COUNTRIES

Day 4. Grandmother cooking in the kitchen

Akha women are easily recognized by their elaborate headdresses with silver medallions

Approaching the last and the highest pass of our trek: 1650 meters

Ela almost stepped on this snake. Our guide said it was poisonous

That day we finished in Muang Long. According to Vongsay, we were only the 6th group who did this new route

Luang Prabang, the biggest tourist magnet in Laos and a Unesco World Heritage site

Entrance to Wat Suwannaphumaham

One of many colorful tuk-tuks in Luang Prabang

Th Sakkarin, the main street in the old quarter bounded by the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers

The northern tip of the peninsula, where Nam Khan and Mekong meet

Wat Xieng Thong, Lunag Prabang's most magnificent temple

Xieng Thong was built in 1560

Wat Xieng Thong

Monks still live in Xieng Thong

A lonely monk

The main sanctuary of Xieng Thong

I was waiting for a monk to appear in the door but I had no luck

Woman making rice cakes

Afterwards cakes are left drying in the sun

Ferry boat pier on the Mekong river

Boat approaching the pier

Luang Prabang from the top of Phu Si

Crowds gather on Phu Si for sunset. It's a nice view, but only a few people get a good spot to enjoy it

Unloading oranges at the pier after sunset