It has been quite a journey so far and there is so much to share since we left Chicago after Christmas and launched our Lynch Family Adventure. My wife Beverly, our daughter Zen, her cousin Sofie and I are traveling through Laos and Thailand. These are such amazing places!
As I write this we will soon be boarding the Luang Say Cruise Vessel from Luang Prabang for a two-day cruise on the Mekong River to the Thai border and onto Chiang Rai. So before we embark on this leg of our journey, I thought to highlight some of the wonderful things we’ve experienced so far:
- When you travel to Greater China and Southeast Asia as much as I do, I am keen on noting the best airport hotels. Novotel Suvarna Bhumi Airport Hotel Bangkok is among the most beautiful airport hotels we have stayed – plus it has a fabulous pool!
- Due to low value of Laotian currency, use only U.S. dollars in Laos. The U.S. dollar is accepted everywhere.
- Similar to other Southeastern Asia, Buddhist-based countries, Laotian people are so earnest and welcoming.
- I must tell you about the Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel in Luang Prabang. Although less luxurious and smaller scale than Le Residence Hotel, Maison more than makes up with high touch, friendly, intimate service. And the staff is genuinely sincere and warm. Even the front desk staff volunteered to French-braid Zen and Sofia’s hair to match the local Laotian hairstyle. We felt as if we are staying at someone's private home vs. a boutique luxury hotel. The small spa here is outstanding; Zen and Sofie thoroughly enjoyed their foot and head massage. So pampered!
We always love participating in the 6:30am morning rice offering to the monks on the street from the Maison Hotel. (See the picture above) Many of the monks are so young: 5, 6, 7 years old. Our Southeast Asia trips always include visits to local primary schools; Zen and Sofie brought plenty of notebooks and pens and gave them to the local Luang Prabang 1st grade class. The girls also joined in some local songs with the students.
Our family also participated in a Baci ceremony from the local village; it included a welcome speech by the elder with dancing and songs. All the elders of the village tied strings around our wrists to welcome us and ward off the bad spirits. Here’s the interesting fact about the string – you must keep it on your wrists for 3 days before untying. It’s for good luck.
We just loved the small, genuinely gentle and friendly Buddhist environment of Luang Prabang. Although it still retains it uniqueness, more and more tourist are coming to this lovely place. The Aman Resorts are building an elite level luxury property here to open in 2009.
Well it's time to head off. I'll update you in a day or two from a remote lodge in the middle of nowhere on the Mekong River.
Here’s a note from Zen and Sofie: "Life is Good!"
As I write this we will soon be boarding the Luang Say Cruise Vessel from Luang Prabang for a two-day cruise on the Mekong River to the Thai border and onto Chiang Rai. So before we embark on this leg of our journey, I thought to highlight some of the wonderful things we’ve experienced so far:
- When you travel to Greater China and Southeast Asia as much as I do, I am keen on noting the best airport hotels. Novotel Suvarna Bhumi Airport Hotel Bangkok is among the most beautiful airport hotels we have stayed – plus it has a fabulous pool!
- Due to low value of Laotian currency, use only U.S. dollars in Laos. The U.S. dollar is accepted everywhere.
- Similar to other Southeastern Asia, Buddhist-based countries, Laotian people are so earnest and welcoming.
- I must tell you about the Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel in Luang Prabang. Although less luxurious and smaller scale than Le Residence Hotel, Maison more than makes up with high touch, friendly, intimate service. And the staff is genuinely sincere and warm. Even the front desk staff volunteered to French-braid Zen and Sofia’s hair to match the local Laotian hairstyle. We felt as if we are staying at someone's private home vs. a boutique luxury hotel. The small spa here is outstanding; Zen and Sofie thoroughly enjoyed their foot and head massage. So pampered!
We always love participating in the 6:30am morning rice offering to the monks on the street from the Maison Hotel. (See the picture above) Many of the monks are so young: 5, 6, 7 years old. Our Southeast Asia trips always include visits to local primary schools; Zen and Sofie brought plenty of notebooks and pens and gave them to the local Luang Prabang 1st grade class. The girls also joined in some local songs with the students.
Our family also participated in a Baci ceremony from the local village; it included a welcome speech by the elder with dancing and songs. All the elders of the village tied strings around our wrists to welcome us and ward off the bad spirits. Here’s the interesting fact about the string – you must keep it on your wrists for 3 days before untying. It’s for good luck.
We just loved the small, genuinely gentle and friendly Buddhist environment of Luang Prabang. Although it still retains it uniqueness, more and more tourist are coming to this lovely place. The Aman Resorts are building an elite level luxury property here to open in 2009.
Well it's time to head off. I'll update you in a day or two from a remote lodge in the middle of nowhere on the Mekong River.
Here’s a note from Zen and Sofie: "Life is Good!"
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