Luang Prabang mit seiner Altstadt-Halbinsel, 32 (!) Tempeln und franzoesischem Flair wird als romantischste Stadt Suedostasiens gehandelt. Wir haben das malerische Staedtchen sofort ins Herz geschlossen. Wir sind durch die Gaesschen flaniert, haben Tempel besucht (nur eine Auswahl), den Sonnenuntergang bestaunt und uns natuerlich am Nachtmarkt rumgetrieben. Um 5.30 morgens haben wir uns aus den Federn klingeln lassen, um den Moenchen Gaben in Form von Reis und Keksen zu bereiten. Buddhistische Moenche gehen jeden Morgen mit ihrer Gabenschale durch die Strassen, um von den Glaeubigen Almosen in Form von Essen oder Geld zu empfangen. Mit der Ausnahme von Wasser leben sie nur von Gaben, die ihnen angeboten wurden. Ein Moench darf Essen zudem nur bis 12 Uhr mittags sammeln und konsumieren. Dies lernt die Moenche Bescheidenheit und die Glaeubigen leisten eine gute Tat.Noch etwas schlaftrunken machten wir uns auf den Weg zum Kouang Si Wasserfall, wo wir uns in den vielen leuchtend blauen natuerlichen Schwimmbecken erfrischten. Ausserdem mussten wir unseren Herzschlag etwas runter bringen, da wir eine Begegnung der reptilen Art hatten: in dem kleinen Busch, neben dem wir unseren Rucksack gedachten zu stellen, entdeckte Boris eine kleine gruene Schlange, die gluecklicherweise mit Verdauen beschaeftigt. So schnell sind wir noch nie einen Huegel runter gelaufen!
Luang Prabang is often called the most romantic city in Southeast Asia because of its old penninsula, 32 (!) temples and French charme. We loved the picturesque town immediately. We strolled through the allies, visited temple (only some), marvelled at the sunset and of course walked through the nightmarket. At 5.30 the following morning we dragged ourselves out of bed to give alms (rice and crackers) to the monks. Every morning Buddhist monks collect alms (mostly food) from the believers with their collecting bowl. With the exception of water they are only eating goods that were offered to them. A monk is allowed to collect and consume food only until midday. This teaches the monks modesty and is an opportunity for Buddhists to do a good deed. A bit sleepy we made our way to the Kouang Si waterfall were we refreshed in the many shiny blue pools. Other then that we had to bring our heart beat back to normal as we had an encounter of the reptile kind: in the small bush next to which we intended to put our bag Boris saw a little green snake that was fortunately busy digesting. We never ran down a hill so quickly!
Luang Prabang is often called the most romantic city in Southeast Asia because of its old penninsula, 32 (!) temples and French charme. We loved the picturesque town immediately. We strolled through the allies, visited temple (only some), marvelled at the sunset and of course walked through the nightmarket. At 5.30 the following morning we dragged ourselves out of bed to give alms (rice and crackers) to the monks. Every morning Buddhist monks collect alms (mostly food) from the believers with their collecting bowl. With the exception of water they are only eating goods that were offered to them. A monk is allowed to collect and consume food only until midday. This teaches the monks modesty and is an opportunity for Buddhists to do a good deed. A bit sleepy we made our way to the Kouang Si waterfall were we refreshed in the many shiny blue pools. Other then that we had to bring our heart beat back to normal as we had an encounter of the reptile kind: in the small bush next to which we intended to put our bag Boris saw a little green snake that was fortunately busy digesting. We never ran down a hill so quickly!
