Kuang Si day trip review: look beyond the blue-pool photograph
Assess transport, time at the falls and the conservation visit before choosing a Kuang Si outing from Luang Prabang.
THE LAOS JOURNAL
Luang Prabang
Fresh perspectives, useful guides, and places to linger.
Choosing a Luang Prabang craft workshop: making, meaning and time
A practical comparison of textile learning at Ock Pop Tok and cultural context at TAEC, with questions to ask before choosing a session.
Ordering a meal to share: clearer questions about ingredients and portions
Use a few focused questions to understand a dish, judge the first order, and agree how your table will share the meal.
TAEC: a thoughtful introduction to the cultures of Laos
The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre in Luang Prabang is a useful place to begin asking better questions about Laos. Its museum, learning activities and work with artisans focus on the country's varied ethnic cultures. A visit can provide…
Kuang Si: a waterfall day with time for the forest and bears
Kuang Si is often reduced to a photograph of blue pools, yet a visit can be much more varied. The waterfall landscape, wooded paths and the neighbouring bear rescue centre offer different reasons to slow down. Set aside time for the whole site…
Ock Pop Tok: understanding a Lao textile before buying one
A finished Lao textile can hold far more work than its size suggests. At Ock Pop Tok's Living Crafts Centre in Luang Prabang, the useful starting point is the making: fibre preparation, dyeing, pattern setting and weaving. Seeing those stages…