Sat 18 Feb
Travel back to Luang Prabang today and much to Mike’s chagrin we hadn’t booked on a aircon minibus to get back. Alan wanted to do the way we had always done, just arrive at the bus terminal and buy tickets there. We had been told there was a minibus at 9.30 so got a sorng-tau to the depot with plenty of time. When we got there of course there is the usual hullabaloo going on and the bus Mafioso don’t let the minibus go until the “bus” is filled up. Bus dep 10 am and the bus was a big open truck sorng-tau. We didn’t fancy the horrendous road back in this vehicle so Alan managed to get a minibus driver on the side and he explained how the “system” worked – so we walked down to a GH almost opposite and asked if we could sit on their deck looking over the river for a bit. Wait out until “bus” left and then go back for a minibus. After about 45 mins Mike walked back and said the bus had gone and there were loads of people at the depot, so we quickly zooted over and as we were walking over, Alan's “buddy” shot over in his scooter to tell us to hurry that our van was leaving soon. After a flurry of activity and Alan somehow getting tickets ahead of the other 20 people waiting, (our “man” managed to wangle his way into the ticket office!), we headed back for the bumpy ride back! I think we were lucky to get in the first van as the others going looked quite a bit more rickety and certainly older! Made good time back, secret is not to watch the road and what’s happening in front of you! Got a sorng-tau back to the Global GH where we had one more night and the Makin’s had 2 before their departure to Siem Reap. Went back to the market to get delicious avo, chicken baguette for lunch – got take away so we could go and eat by the Saffron coffee shop on the river but on arrival there it was closed for a private function that was about to start. We found another coffee shop to get the cuppa java but had to sit in seats that looked like they belonged to another restaurant! Little girl of about 4 kept bugging us telling us we must buy food or smoothie from her if we wanted to sit there – boy what a persistent little thing she was too, just wouldn’t let up! Certainly didn’t match the furniture of “her” place so just ignored her! Wandered around town a little and then headed off to find the Utopia Bar that the English couple in Nong Kiauw had told Sal about. Had to weave through the back streets down by the Nam Khan River bank and eventually fund this wonderful oasis with great views of the river! It has many pergolas with low tables, recliner cushions and hookah pipes- some on platforms overlooking river and some dotted around the garden. There was a platform with a yoga class going on – tempting but didn’t think the clientele would appreciate seeing my butt sticking up in the air for down dogs or half moon pose! We joined a pergola with 3 Chinese kids just vegging and we took over half the table and stacked up some cushions so were super comfy. So comfy we couldn’t move after drinks and decided to just eat there too and spent the whole evening lounging in the idyllic spot. Entertaining watching the young MLC ‘s eating with mouths open and not shy about it! Def a recommended place to chill for anyone visiting LP! Walked back to GH and then packed up for our early start in the morning.