Luang Prabang is a lovely, cultured, quasi-French town in the heart of Laos. Built on the banks of the Mekong and once the ancient capital, LP now serves up chocolate croissants, fruit shakes, great Lao food and classic colonial architecture. Nearby, there is a super waterfall complete with a local tiger and sun bears. Diving into the cool swimming holes is great fun.
Now a seemingly sedate country, Laos was once a rowdy place, known for an 'anything goes' tourist scene. Narcotics, weapons and other vices were common. Oddly, a midnight curfew is in place for all: you have to be back at your guesthouse and inside its gates by this time. The curfew sharply contrasts with the ever present access to cheap beer and less legal substances.
