Lost in Luang Prabang 3

My favourite spot in Luang Prabang is the quiet stretch of road along the Nam Khan River (it’s nicest in the morning and evening). Here you can see locals going about their daily life. The Mekong side is a lot busier but it boasts a stunning sunset.

Lost in Luang Prabang 2

In Luang Prabang, it’s easy to get lost in its rich culture and religion. There are no less than 30 temples and 50 monasteries there. Because there are hardly any nightlife (you get the sense that its people are very wholesome), the hedonists would find Luang Prabang a bore, but if you love peace and quiet, it’s a haven!

Luang Prabang is best explored by foot or bicycle. In fact, the town is so tiny, you can cover all corners of it in half a day (it’d take longer if you linger at the temples and popular tourist sites like Mount Phou Si). And because it gets scorching hot in the afternoon, it’s a good idea to shield yourself with an umbrella just like what the monks do.

Lost in Luang Prabang 1

This is my second time in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Listed town in Laos. I’m glad that nothing has changed, except for a gorgeous new Aman resort (I will be posting pics of Amantaka here soon).

Luang Prabang is still as magical as my first trip there in 2006. It’s one of South East Asia’s best kept secrets and best preserved destinations – no skyscrapers and shopping malls, instead lots of temples, original French colonial and Laotian architecture and monks.

“Where are you from?” a local lady asked.

“Singapore,” I replied.

“We have very few visitors from Singapore. Most are from Europe. I think Singaporeans have no taste in culture,” she said. I was quite surprised by her candid albeit sweeping statement. But I have to say she’s right.

To me, the best part of any trip is chatting up with the locals – you can really learn a thing or two from them.

Three Monks

Enchanting

Model Monk

This novice monk not only has a pretty face, he sure knows how to strike a pose (Tyra Banks would definitely approve!). I shot this at Punakha Dzong in Punakha, Western Bhutan.

Punakha is about 72 km away from the capital Thimphu. At 1200m above sea level, Punakha has a subtropical climate – warm in winter and hot in summer. The two main rivers of Bhutan, the Pho Chu and Mo Chu, run along Punakha Dzong, making it one of the most photogenic landmarks in the Himalayan Mountain Kingdom.

Monk Crossing

This is one of my favourite photos which did not make it on my website limchih.com. It was shot in Luang Prabang, Laos. What I like about the picture is the unique signpost which shows a woman in traditional Laotian dress crossing the road. Juxtaposed with a monk in saffron robe and you get a very interesting photo!

Over the next few days, I will be featuring some of my personal favourites on my blog. I hope you will enjoy them.