Luang Prabang managed to steal my heart within a matter of hours, and it caught me completely off guard. Everyone I met in Thailand who asked me where I was headed next lit up at the mention of Luang Prabang and gave me a look as if to say, “you’ll understand soon enough.” Here I was walking along the Mekong River of a treasured UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the charm was just oozing from every street corner. My guide Nong grew up here and was eager to show me around. We visited the Royal Palace Museum, just a small fraction of the beautiful temples, and climbed the 328 steps of Mount Phousi for a stunning (and sweaty) 360 degree view of the city.
We stopped for lunch along the Mekong River and sampled a delicious, local menu. You gotta try the larb!
If I had had the extra time, Luang Prabang would have been the perfect stop for a few free days to wander and explore independently, take in the sites and relax by the river. I guess I'll have to just start planning my next trip!
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.