We have met another traveling family, Sophie and Mark and thier children Louise and Amelie. With them we shared many meals, played games, explored waterfalls, fed bufaloes and exchanged travel stories and tips. It was great fun.
We spent to day exploring the Kuang Si waterfalls, swam in aqua blue pools and hiked through beautiful forest. The waters were full of small fish that in theory I welcomed as they nibble on the dead skin on my feet. But in reality my psyche could not handle the fish the size of a small banana snacking on my feet.
Another afternoon, we had the grand idea to hike to the top of the temple and watch the sunset. We failed to realize that this in one of must do activities listed on TripAdvisor. The hoards of tourists vying for a spot and raising thier cameras high above thier heads did take away from the ambience a little. However, it is wholesome and refreshing that so many gather daily to witness this natural beauty.
On our way back from the Kuang Si waterfalls we visited a Water Buffalo farm. It is a project started by an Australian family.
Many Lao families own water buffalo, but the animals often roam freely and forage on thier own. Thus, disease, death and inbreeding plague these herds. Also the water levels of the rivers are unpredictable due to the new dams and ironically water buffalo are poor swimmers, so they get swept away and drown. This project rents the female buffaloes from the farmers, vaccinates, feeds, breeds and cares for the new calves and then returns these healthier animals to the farmers. In return, the farm milks the female water buffalo and creates yummy desserts and cheese to sell to Luang Prabang restaurants. In addition, the farm raises chickens, pigs and rabbits and is heavily engaged in a educational program with Lao villages about the benefits of Buffalo milk as a lactose free protien source. Many Lao children are malnourished and protein deficient. We learned a lot about farming and animals, and the cheese and ice cream were delicious.
Games with friends
Eating Bo Bun with friends
Bochner Family Adventure 