Luang Prabang, Laos

We celebrated my 30th birthday in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO world heritage site in northern Laos.  Ken bought me wild maroon Laos-style MC Hammer pants and Shelley found me a pink silk scarf and bamboo rice cooker at the sprawling night market.  Splurging at the fanciest restaurant in town (how often does a girl turn 30?), called the Blue Lagoon, the food was truly world class.  The waiters even put a flaming July 4th sparkler in my ice cream - definitely a fire code violation.  The food was so delicious, we had no choice but to go two nights in a row.

Strolling around the Mekong, we were struck by the number of practicing monks and all the funky colored doors, roofs, and signs.  We toured the various temples and climbed the “mountain” Phou Si for sunset.  However, thirsty for the “real” Laos, we parted the tourist ghetto and headed for the mountains...