Luang Prabang, Temple Day

My third day in LP was totally open so decided to hit the tourist highlights:

1) Temple - Wat Xieng Thong

2) Climb Phu Si and visit the Wats along the way

3) foot massage

4) Royal Palace Museum 

5) Tribal Arts and Ethnology Centre

6) Night Handicraft Market

7) Hive Bar

8) Utopia

According to my iPhone's step counter, that was 24,000 steps...I think as much as 14 miles!

The temples...I should probably take a tour to understand the difference between these and Thailand. The ornamentation was interesting...a glass mosaic. It seems that every Wat has its own artistic theme. I know Wat Arun in Bangkok is made of dishes! 

The Royal Palace Museum was a reminder perhaps of why communism succeeded in this country (although truthfully, the U.S. is more communist)

The TAEC Museum had a small collection of tribal arts with some explanations. I watche a video about a Hmong medicine woman and about the resting period right after childbirth -- the woman sits by the fire for one month and rests and eats rice and drinks boiled water. 

The night handicraft market was mostly Chinese stuff (I think). I did buy a few scarves, but for the mostpart unappealing.

Hive Bar was interesting, but empty (okay it was 6:30 PM). Utopia took a long time to find...required a walk through windy back streets that didn't appear to be streets at all. It seemed to be a wonderland...jungle with tables nestled here and there and many different environments. I was of course the oldest and only alone person there. The staff was very sweet and put me at a low table with cuashions that allow you to recline! I certainly enjoyed recling after a day on my feet.