Luang Prabang 12/10/2019

This was the day one of the three day Boun Awk Phansa (End of Buddhist Lent) that culminates on the third day with Boun Heua Fai (The Fireboat Festival). I spent most of the day reacquainting myself with the town and looking in here and there starting with the Morning Market and then on to the nearby Wat Xieng Mouane, before taking a break and waiting for better light. A couple of hours later off to Wat Sene - ວັດແສນສຸຂາຣາມ, Wat Sop Sickharam, Vat Pak Khan Khammungkhun and at the point of the peninsular: Riverview Park . For the first time I saw from the park the bamboo footbridge that is normally built at the end of every wet season for locals and visitors to cross the Nam Khan, saving an otherwise long trip around. Usually the bridge is swept away during the next wet season but this time the bridge was intact, except for a small section close to the opposite bank.

After the Park over to the Mekong for the sunset, but I had tarried too long. Up to the main road and an early evening visit, as they were beginning to light their lanterns, to Vat Sensoukharam, then some dinner. As I was returning to my guesthouse I noticed Wat Siphoutthabath, just opposite, had a lantern display with the vihãrn open, which always previously seemed closed and in darkness.