Luang Prabang: Things to Do on the Outskirts

[Day 6] Taming and riding elephants, trekking in broad daylight, feeling our way in pitch dark caves, downing local whiskey and plunging in clear, cool waters. That's how we spent our second day in Luang Prabang.

While there are many reasons to absolutely love the town center, it didn't hurt to get on the (dirt)road and enjoy the outdoors, Luang Prabang style. :)

At the Elephant park.
Before this, the closest I got to an elephant was with Dumbo on books and Disney Channel replays. Haha. 

Sharing some photos of our little side trip on the town outskirts. :)

With our gentle giant, Bono.

Boats ready to cross the river to the to get to the Thousand Buddha Cave.

At the entrance of Pak Ou- which means "mouth of Ou", pertaining to the Ou River.
Pak Ou is where Ou and Mehkong Rivers meet.

Pak Ou is composed or two caves, the lower and upper cave.
Here are some of the statues in the magnificent lower cave.

Statues of all sizes, shapes and characters, usually made of brass or wood.
Our guide says the locals hid their statues in these caves during the French colonization. 

Clockwise: entrance to the upper cave; fortune telling sticks; me and my damn-I-just-climbed-100++ steps-in-broad-daylight face. Unlike the lower cave, the upper cave is way deeper in the mountain that sunlight doesn't get in.
Neither does it have lights, so it's pretty hard to find your way inside. It houses the largest Buddha statue. 

At the Whiskey Village- which sells more than whiskey. Clockwise: local weaver in action; beautiful, beautiful scarves; I don't even wanna know what's in there. 

Bottoms up! 

Last stop. For our tired and sweaty selves. :)

Would you look at that? It's feels as good (to take a dip in) as it looks.

Jump in!

Because Brian does his signature pose everywhere. I mean- everywhere.

Perfect way to end a jam-packed day.:)

This little side trip is just one of the many reasons to love Luang Prabang. Know the rest here. :)