09/03/2010 - Swimming in natural pools

After breakfast at ‘The Pizza’ we hopped onto a tuk-tuk for the bumpy forty minute ride out to the Kuangsi Waterfall.

We are a bit dubious about waterfalls because we have trekked to so many that have no water but we were assured that there was plenty at this one and we were not disappointed. This has to be one of the most spectacular set of waterfalls and swimming pools we have ever seen. Well worth the painful ride and the short walk. We spent the afternoon swimming in the various pools and taking endless photographs of the falls. Grahame was convinced that the pools were manmade as it seemed too good to be true but then nature often is. We finally surmised that it was the limestone that made it look surreal – as if it they were formed out of concrete. On the way we also met Hege and Hoogen (not sure of the spelling) a young couple from Norway who had just finished high school in Oslo and were moving north to go to university at the end of their four month trip.

Back in town after showers we wandered back to the main street and found a little restaurant that served the most amazing whole fish plus we managed to get onto Matthew and mum on skype for the first time. The connection wasn’t great as the conversation was a bit delayed plus it was 1am in Sydney so Mum was half asleep (of course Matt was wide awake as he had just finished work). We had a good chat and then wandered home via the night markets who were just packing up to find our favorite banana pancake stall for dessert!

View Khem Khong Guest House, Th. Khem Khong, Luang Prabang, Laos
(100,000 Kip w fan & hot water ensuite – simple but clean & opposite the river)
Ph: 856-71 213032 / m: 856-20 6783080.