Touring Luang Prabang on One Speeds, Laos

A great way to get around the town is on bicycles. We rented some fancy, one speed bikes with shopping baskets and high handle bars, for $1US and started our own tour. First stop, the Phoussy market which had a very local flavour. Our stomachs churned a little when we saw the flies around the meat section, so we retreated to the fantastic colours of the fruit and veg section.
Further along our ride, we encountered many people. One highlight was watching kids playing a game in the street where they had to whip a flip flop around 30 feet towards a bundle of elastic bands. Kids can come up with anything as a game, and they were quite good at it.
We stopped at many temples (Wats) as usual, but one of importance was where the ashes of the penultimate king lie. He died in 1959 and was succeeded by his son, but the new king was exiled in 1975, along with the royal family and apparently they all died of natural causes as they were never seen again! Colourful Wat Xieng Thong was a highlight with its purple chapels covered in mosaic. Also, a fantastic gold building that turned out to be only a garage for the fancy chariot that carried the urn of the penultimate king to the burial site.
Across an old railway bridge, where the motorcycle and bike traffic went single file in each direction, is where I snapped this shot. It was great contrast from the monks' orange robes against the bright green of the moss in the river.
The day finished with an impromptu viewing of some takraw games which were quite enjoyable. The local kids were flying around kicking the wicker ball at some impressive speeds.
After we dropped off the bikes, we visited the old palace and watched a version of Laos ballet. The costumes were fantastic and quite colourful, but I found the actual play itself a little slow, although the kids doing the dance of the monkeys at the end was fun to watch! And what day would be complete without a trip to the night market for some cheap purchases! *Stub