Muang Ngoy and back
After the quarantine was over, we could travel again, go and explore this beautiful country. So I asked in the South bus station, which is close to our house if there would be a bus to Nong Khiaw the day after tomorrow. A positive answer brought a smile to my face and we all started preparing for a new adventure. The day D, we left our house in rush, the lovely landlord gave us a lift. What a surprise that in the bus station there was no bus or van, we have to wait to see if somebody else comes, three people is not enough to pay for the transport. Luckily, our landlord took us to the North bus station, which is used by locals and… there was a minivan waiting for us. And also it was cheaper. So we hopped into the bus, took a seat next to the local guy wearing the mask (crazy rule when it is 40°C) and headed towards Nong Khiaw. We hit a motorbike on the way, luckily nothing serious happened, only our driver had to check and ride the motorbike to the owner’s house.
In the town, we found nice bungalows by the river and also super tasty food in Mama Alex’s restaurant. There are few viewpoints in the mountains around the town/village. The hikes are neither difficult nor easy but all of them are worth doing. Especially the one with a 360° view. One day we got up early and hiked up there for sunrise. Billions of mosquitos were our companion for the entire hike but the breathtaking view let us forget them. We stood above the clouds. The sun was slowly rising up and I felt like I was in the sky, only the tops of the other mountains were peeping out from the milky foam.
In the town, we found nice bungalows by the river and also super tasty food in Mama Alex’s restaurant. There are few viewpoints in the mountains around the town/village. The hikes are neither difficult nor easy but all of them are worth doing. Especially the one with a 360° view. One day we got up early and hiked up there for sunrise. Billions of mosquitos were our companion for the entire hike but the breathtaking view let us forget them. We stood above the clouds. The sun was slowly rising up and I felt like I was in the sky, only the tops of the other mountains were peeping out from the milky foam.
However, we wanted to explore more. So we accepted the offer from our minivan driver to take his boat to Muang Ngoy. It was such a surprise when we reached the shore and started walking out on the beach: there was a big board with a notice that they don’t accept tourists coming into the village. We did not get scared and went in. It looked like a deserted place. Few tourists and only locals, hiding in their houses or stores. Fortunately, we got a nice room in the very first guesthouse which was open and stayed there for a few nights before we moved to Veranda: beautiful bungalows and a restaurant owned by a happy smiley family. There are plenty of places worth visiting. Viewpoints, caves, an organic farm, other villages around and also some nice spots for swimming in the river. We did everything. My favourite was, of course, the cave. The gate was locked down and nobody was around. So we slipped under and were climbing up until we met the local guide and the cave caretaker, who asked us for the entrance fee and gave us a ticket, and also lent us a good torch for exploring. I love the cave. Deep, quiet, dark, few bats, cold air and little Buddha’s statues at the end. After the cave and the heavy rain, we continued to the top of the mountain, to the viewpoint. The people were there, having picnics and invited us to join them. They said we are bringing good luck for them, because after the lockdown maybe we are the first tourists. It was my pleasure, of course.
We stayed in the village for a long time but needed to extend our visa again so we decided to return to our lovely town Luang Prabang. Again. Never say goodbye to Luang Prabang, it will call you back, again and again, especially in the coronavirus time.
Never say goodbye, maybe we will meet again.