Vientiane & Luang Prabang

30.1.

Our day began with the sun barely peeking over the horizon as we groggily stumbled out of our hotel and into a waiting tuktuk at 8:30 AM. The ride to the bus station was a whirlwind of bustling streets and honking horns, awakening our senses to the vibrant energy of Vientiane.

Arriving at the station, we were greeted by the sight of our mode of transportation for the day: a cramped bus with seats seemingly designed for miniature humans. With barely enough legroom to stretch, we settled in for the journey ahead, bracing ourselves for the adventure.

The first break came unexpectedly at 11:30 AM, tempting us with the aroma of noodle soup wafting through the air. However, upon learning it wasn't the official lunch break, we opted to save our appetites for later. Little did we know, the next pit stop would be a nondescript gas station devoid of any culinary delights. Instead, we sustained ourselves with crackers and indulged in the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates from the anime realm of One Piece.

Finally reaching Vientiane in the afternoon, we shared a taxi with a friendly German couple, exchanging travel tales as we navigated through the city's bustling streets. Our hostel greeted us with open arms, providing a much-needed respite from the day's travels. Eager to explore, we ventured out into the city, following the tantalizing scent of street food to the bustling night market. Sipping on refreshing smoothies and savoring every bite of glass noodle salad with tofu, we soaked in the sights and sounds of Vientiane before retiring early for the night.

31.1. 

Waking up refreshed, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast at our hostel before setting out to explore Vientiane. The morning was spent leisurely strolling through the city, taking in the sights of ancient temples and the serene riverfront. Serendipitously, we bumped into the same friendly faces we shared a taxi with the day before, sharing stories of our travels.

With the memory of cramped bus rides still fresh in our minds, we decided to opt for the comfort and speed of the train to our next destination: Luang Prabang.

The train station greeted us with its sleek, modern facade, complete with stringent security checks and meticulous ticket inspections. Boarding the train, we marveled at its futuristic amenities, including onboard Wi-Fi (which, unsurprisingly, refused to cooperate). As the train chugged along, there was a constant stream of instruction how to ride a train… Thank you for reminding us that we are not allowed to sit on the tiny tables instead of the comfortable seats.

After settling into our hostel, we ventured into the city for dinner and found ourselves at the bustling night market once again. On our way there we bumped into our companion of our adventure to the Cu Chi tunnels. After a brief chat with this lovely side character of a previous chapter we continued on in the search of food. However, the night had another surprise waiting for us: a few tables away from us we spotted someone who shared a high resemblance with the pirate and bard Mr. Hurley, lead singer of Mr. Hurley und die Pulveraffen. Someone we usually see on top of a MPS stage. A short conversation later, it turned out that this person was indeed the bard in question. Engaging in conversation, we shared travel tales and even snapped a photo together, which Mr. Hurley graciously shared on Instagram, gaining us a flurry of new followers.

1.2. 

Rising with the sun, we fortified ourselves with steaming bowls of noodle soup before embarking on a quest to uncover the secrets of Luang Prabang. Scaling temple hills and traversing along the mighty Mekong River, we marveled at the city's ancient wonders, feeling as though we had stepped into the pages of a forgotten legend.

After a leisurely lunch, we sought refuge in a quaint coffee shop, where we whiled away the afternoon planning our next adventures amidst the aroma of freshly ground beans.

2.2.

Our final day in Luang Prabang was spent amidst nature's wonders. After a morning walk, we grabbed some takeaway lunch for a day trip to a nearby waterfall.

Climbing the mountain adjacent to the waterfall, we were rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. A refreshing swim in the river running through the jungle invigorated our spirits and cooled our sun-kissed skin. Returning to the city, we indulged in a feast of flavors at an Indian restaurant, savoring every last bite as we reflected on the unforgettable experiences we had shared in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.