sorry, only google translate 🙁
Luang Namtha is a beautiful little town in the north of Laos, which is not yet arrived apparently really for tourists, although it certainly has the necessary infrastructure with guest houses and tour operators. It is probably more of an insider tip for hiking and action tourists but also for people who like to admire ethnic minorities. All three can be found here that is a dime a dozen.
Restricted by our injury, we could not, as planned, a (mind you, only with a guide possible) hike through the jungle to make, but borrowed back from a scooter to drive a bit through the area and the National Biodiversity Area of the road to admire. Here they keep coming through small town, which are built directly around the road around – as far as we can tell – are inhabited by farmers who sell their products on the market or directly to the street. This one gets especially always super views of the rice fields, which have already done to us there.
In addition, we made a detour to a waterfall whose movements especially Kerstin brought almost to its limit, however, which is why we did the stay with hikes for now.
However, this whole thing was already a foretaste of the rest of our time in Laos. Laos is indeed poorer, but in principle at all, a little more expensive than Thailand. Although the difference is not great, but we felt in Laos kinda like Christmas geese to be excluded just waiting. It is here really asked for every little bit to checkout. Be it a scooter park at the waterfall, which, of course, additionally entrance fee, admission for a temple, drinking in the hotel (which was always free in Thailand) and the tuk-tuks are obscenely expensive than in Thailand. Not that we misunderstand, the prices are not excessively high, but a maximum of 2 € / person, but by the sheer wealth of activities that require this price usually without any basis, just makes you feel after some time as the rich Europeans , the money can be pulled out of his pocket …
Anyway, in the evening we had a little culinary homesick, so we wanted to try the wood-fired pizza a New Zealand restaurants. Has really done well again 🙂 We also learned a nice American from Florida know which gave us some tips for the trip and the stay in Luang Prabang. Because – contrary to the information in the tourist office – the flow of Nuong Khiaw to Luang Prabang was in fact no longer passable by boat due to China’s hydropower plants. Therefore we somewhat reluctantly simply booked the minibus directly to Luang Prabang to there with an extra day to make yourself a boat trip. Whether it worked, but it is another story …