Sun set over Vientiane, Laos. Glass bottles.
Sunset falling on Vientiane Laos
Tag Archives: laos
Finding Laos Kuang Si Falls a multiple level waterfall with turquoise blue infinity pools
World Travel has led me to some interesting places. Just about an hour auto ride out of Luang Prabang, in central Laos through the back lands and rice paddy fields, up the winding hills and mountains is an elegant multiple levels waterfall with turquoise blue waters and infinity ledge pools. What is the name of this magical place? Kuang Si Falls.
I would rank Kuang Si Falls in one of South East Asia’s must see natural wonders if you are making it out this way. The beautiful lush habitat will make you feel like you are alive, and give you deep perspective.
You can get there from the main city by Tuk Tuk, songthaew, motorbike, or any other form of transport. Earlier I had flagged down a songthaew truck and I had hitched a ride with a few other back packers, a couple from South Africa, a young gent from Switzerland and two french guys.
After the bumpy ride, we all jumped out of the back and started up the hill to see the waterfall. Apparently If you make it this far into Laos or your south east Asian back packing experience then you should see this cascading natural wonder.
My Vibrams and I hanging out – enjoying the view, bumps, and bridges.
Once into the jungle I felt I was trekking through a movie. All the sights and sounds added to the falling water of the Kuang Si Falls was unreal from the sounds to my ears to the giant insects flying around. The exotic insects that whizzed by my ears, danced in the leaves above my head. They were indeed enormous leaves interwoven with Tarzan swinging rope vines and of course the colorful wild flowers growing from greens and massive trunks of trees sprawled out of the earth were absolutely breathtaking. Was this real?
Then there was the water, and oh was it beautiful. There were a few options to enjoy these pools, one was to just relax at the base and soak up the sun in one of the many overflowing infinity pools collecting water from the massive multiple level waterfalls up stream. The second option would be to trek a bit up the mountain to the central pools, and of course the third would be to make the hike to the top of the falls where you can stand at the top and overlook the mountainous valley and all the turquoise pools below.
I opted for the the third and most difficult.
At the base of the hike up and around the water falls.
The infinity pools and waterfalls.
Before I left this morning I hadn’t planned on trekking, and I just wanted to shoot a few photos and lay in one of the many pools all day. However by the time I arrived and saw this massive tiered beast of falls, I instantly said “I’m climbing that”. So knowing full well that I was in for a hike I partnered up with the two guys from France just to be safe and we set out for the hike up the right flank.
There was a trail but it was hard to keep in plain sight at times as we started to rise in elevation. We scaled up roots and traversed over deep foliage, at some points the trail or lack there of was so slick it was better off to climb parallel to it pulling your self up by big roots and boulders. It seems that raining season has started so the would be trail up has been washed over by mud and foliage.
Remembering the wise words of my uncle Jim back when I was a boy scout to always have at least two limbs of your four limbs positioned on the terrain in case one slipped. It was pretty slippery, it took lots of work reaching and pulling onto roots and branches, sliding a bit stopping to sip on some water and wiping the sweet away from my brow. The two French guys didn’t talk much, but I did look out for each of them gong up, I figured it was best to be polite and a team player in case something happened or i needed help.
realizing that my lack of hiking equipment was taking a toll on me i slowed my pace. My Vibram Soles finally ripped after 2 years of traveling around the world. The sole had split open. They have been all over and now are warn down beyond belief. I wish those guys would hook me up with a new pair. I must admit it was a difficult climb up and even down. But once I arrived at the top, it was breath taking.
At the top the falls there were several pools that overlapped the edge, at this time I was particularly careful with my camera. After getting pretty wet and slipping a few different times, I decided best bet for now was in sliding it away in a waterproof pouch I had brought. Then I walked through to the other side holding onto some branches and migrating slowly to the other side.
I sat for a bit enjoyed the Laotian jungle views and the freshness of water flowing below me, every particle, every drop migrating together in sync with one another. The power of nature is breathtaking.
From the top of the falls overlooking the valley.
I saw a second tier below of falls landing into three bays of pools that all fed into one drop off. That was going to be where I went for the rest of the afternoon. Just how would I get there. By the time I looked up my new found French guys were ducking away in the tracks, they wanted to head back down on a mission to go swim. I wanted to explore and figure out a way down into what seemed like the best view.
Beautiful Laos.
water falls and the main falls with the upper four in the distance. Central Laos.
After about 20 minutes I figured out a way down, it was just that I had to walk through some water and up a staircase of mini falls. Dodging some close calls and a few slips off the edge but I was able to get to the pools. Alone and enjoying the rest of the day until later a few people from New Zealand yelled to me on directions up to these pools. I gave them the way.
I soaked up the day in reflection of life and all that I was right there, in the moment. The falls are spectacular and my photos do not give the justice they deserve. I hope you enjoy the falls.
The upper falls.
Can you see me? Drewmanity.com in Laos!
Monk and the Mekong River Laos
Monk in contemplation Sunset over Laos Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, Laos Mekong River sunset
Three Laotion monks and an American traveler chilling on a hot summer day.
Sometimes I wonder how lucky I am not only to travel this world but to meet the people that I do. Then I remember that it was a choice I made, I could be at a desk somewhere looking at my screensaver just day dreaming like I was back in 2009.
The elder monk directly to my left asked me to come teach the other monks basic English. Luang Prabang, Laos
Today I woke up to my daily ritual then sat contemplating what community service work I would do in Laos as I am on a quest to volunteer in each country that I visit. I suddenly became overwhelmed with the sensations. I suddenly became frustrated and somewhat upset with myself. I questioned “What am I doing here? Why does it matter?”
Then I stopped, put down the pen and paper, took my camera and headed out the door in a frustrated yet wanderlust bolt. Where to, I had no idea.
I explored a little outside the main tourist hot spots in Luang Prabang, venturing deeper into the local scenic route, then found myself passing by a warn down yet beautiful white, maroon, and golden Wat (temple).
I decided to venture into the premises to say a few prayers and meditate for a short sit. I don’t really have a particular religion but I do believe that there is something out there far greater than just me, and that I give great respect to. So I said some things for the people around the world, sending out my best meta. Then for my cousin and his wife who are going through a tough pregnancy who were rushed to the hospital last night. I gave thanks to everything that I have in life and the people I have connected with. I lit a few candles and just listened to my heart beat. I then felt better and left the temple, walking around the grounds in peace.
This is when I met a few monks resting in the shade under an old warn down building. Feeling calm and relaxed, I said my greetings “sabai di” (“hello-good health”) and pressed my palms together in a prayer gesture known as a “nop”). They reciprocated with smiles “sabai di”.
There were a few younger monks passing and coming interested in the big white foreigner, as for two of them spoke decent English enough to hold basic conversation with me. After standing a little I sat with them on the old wooden bench shown in the photograph above. I spent a couple hours talking with these monk about their lives and the city. They in turn asked me about my travels. Only an handful of them speak English out of thirty monks at this temple some passing and interested to see what was going on with us. The elder monk said they are eager to learn and asked if I could come back to the temple and teach basic English classes. I thought about what I was doing, could I thought? I was smiling and thinking this has got to be one of those moments, a sign as I flashed back to this morning when I had been contemplating my community service/ volunteering initiative for Laos. I said we could work something out.
Thrilled, the elder monk (I forgot how to pronounce/ spell his name) asked if I could come back and teach them classes in English conversation tomorrow already. I laughed, and said how long do you want me to stay? He told me however long you have sir. I told them I would arrange my schedule to see what I can do.
How could I turn him down? This was a sign if there were any signs floating around from my troubled mind this morning. I wasn’t planning on staying in Luang Prabang longer than a couple days, however to teach English at a temple in Laos might be more rewarding than any sight seeing experience.
Maybe I should warn them ahead of time that my grammar in writing is sub par.
The golden doors of the temple, Luang Prabang, Laos.
Boat down the Mekong River
The past two days have pretty much been spent on a boat floating slowly down the Mekong river from Thailand to Laos. They say “slow boat” but really it isn’t too slow, if we hit something it would do some damage… Ha! But overall it wasn’t slow but it wasn’t fast. At some points we hit a few rapids that were pretty unpredictable and splashed a bit of water up into the boat of course giving everyone a laugh and an “ooooo and an ahhh” effect.
Overall the boats moved pretty quick, but in retrospect I guess over the course of two days it can be called a slow boat. And we parked half way through to spend the night in a little village that sold over priced food and overpriced accommodations. Supply and demand was the excuse I supposed. None the less the sleepy little village was a nice break from the boat, and made the trip complete as I was able to converse with my new Chinese friends over a hot meal and power outages.
Over the course of the two days on the river we passed through different villages. It was beautiful to see the landscape and the people. The bamboo huts and the men out on their skinny boats fishing. there was vast space between each village so it made a good mix for the adventure.
I am editing some notes that I had written about the course of the past three days. But I wanted to just say a few things the best part of travel is meeting people.
I will say that time and again. As much as I love being alone and out in the world traveling, when I meet some people that I find interesting it makes a world of a difference. This trip was one of those instances; I just met some amazing women from Argentina and a hand full of people from China and four folks from Germany on the boat. Over the course of two days I spent time with the Chinese people last night for a dinner, and tonight I met up with the guys from Germany and the Argentina girls. Our time together was short but I hope to stay connected to them some how or another. I feel throughout my journey over the past two years that this is the number one question I get asked. What is your favorite part of travel? My answer. Meeting the people.
All of our stories were unique and interesting, we had lots to share and learn from each other. All rewarding and interesting stories, I’d say in the big picture of life It was a fast education on a slow boat down the Mekong.
Sandstone cliff. Mekong River. Laos
local man on the mountain over looking the docked boats.
Mekong River boat dock. laos