After a good night’s sleep in the Rimvang Hostel we had to start making plans for our first week in Laos. We had seen an obvious place to visit next to the night market: the Luang Prabang National Museum.
Travel
Stories of my travels around the world.
Luang Prabang Night Market
After two long days travelling by slow boat on the steady current of the Mekong River, we were ready to plant our feet in Luang Prabang. Its promise of street markets and quiet charm would be a welcome change.
Slow Boat to Luang Prabang
We were in Huay Xai, a border city in Laos. Across the river we could still see Thailand, a place we were already missing. On that day we would take the slow boat to Luang Prabang, a journey that would span multiple days.
Thai/Laos Border Crossing
Our visa extensions were running out, so our time in Thailand was coming to a close. We had elected to cross the border from Thailand to Laos, and take a slow boat along the Mekong River.
Hotpot Soup and Soup Spicy
As our final day in Chiang Rai reached its end, we went looking for some street food to satisfy our hunger. We figured we’d stay close to home base and see into what the local night market had in store.
Wat Rong Khun – White Temple
Wat Rong Khun is a Buddhist temple that is known for its architectural marvel. With the appearance of porcelain, this temple holds much detail in its intricate structure. It is located in the south of Chiang Rai, close to the Thai-Laos border.
MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum
Located on the outskirts to the east of the city, MAIIAM is building that looks like it is covered in tall mirrors.” to “MAIIAM is a building covered in tall mirrors, a sleek and eye-catching exterior that makes it feel newly built.
Wat Pha Lat: Monk’s Trail
I love hiking, so of course we searched for a good hike in Chiang Mai. Wat Pha Lat, also known as the Monk’s Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the area, starting just on the edge of the city.
Dream Space Gallery: Street Art
As in most cities, Chiang Mai has art galleries, but some are a little more hidden away. Just south east of Chiang Mai’s Old Town Wall, you will find a place called the Dream Space Gallery.
Chiang Mai Prison Massage
In 1974 sociologist Robert Martinson argued that nothing works. This led to less focus on rehabilitation in the USA, and more focus on punishment. Being from Europe, I was always surprised to hear American judges talk about “punishments” when referring to sentences. Shouldn’t prisons be about rehabilitation?