Luang Prabang, Laos is a UNESCO world heritage city. It has a village like feel to it. Its a very small city with a population of just 50,000. Its known for its Buddhist monasteries and natural beauty.
I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do in Luang Prabang. I had contacted 2 couchsurfers to see if they were free to hang out and didn't get a reply.
I decided to go to Kuang Si Falls. Because of the limestone the water flows down, it is filled with minerals giving it the color of turquoise. My only regret is that I didn't bring my swim suit. True the water was a bit cold, but it would have loved to swing on the rope and jump into the pools.
 |
| The swimming section of Kuang Si Falls. There is a rope hanging from the tree you can swing from. |
The father told us he had spoken to someone who had climbed up to the top of the waterfall. We all agreed that we wanted to do it. So we followed the trail. Some areas were very steep. To keep steady, I had to hold the ground with my hands while I climbed up with my feet, as you would during rock climbing. The stones that had been carved into steps had eroded away and only a short stepping surface remained. I grabbed onto trees and roots that looked stable as I climbed up. I had to pause several times to catch my breath. We climbed up 200 feet to get to the top.
 |
| 200 ft tall waterfall. We climbed in the forest just to the right of the falls. |
The waterfall is in the middle of dense forest. Only as I climbed did I truly appreciate how we were in the jungle.
 |
| Note how there is a path but barely any steps remaining. I'd grab on to trees along the path to keep me from falling. |
I knew we were at the top of the waterfall once we saw the ground become level. The ground became muddy and in areas had 2 feet of water running over the edge. We stopped in the last dry area to take off our shoes and hang them up on a tree.
 |
| The Australian family |
 |
| I'm smiling from the thrill of standing in cool running water |
Initially the water was very clear. But then as we all started to walk through it, it became cloudy, obscuring the vision of the ground beneath. At times, my feet sunk into the muddy ground. Then as I trudged through the mud, my feet stepped on jagged rock. Then on a slippery rock. I attempted to shake a tree lying in front of me with my foot. It didn't move. I stooped down to hold onto it as I worked my way to the edge of the falls. Finally I was at the railing closest to the edge!
 |
| Pure clear water |
 |
| Walking towards the edge |
 |
| Finally at the edge of Kuang Si Falls |
Wow! It was completely exhilarating! I felt so alive at that moment. It was as if a part of me that I didn't even know was sleeping suddenly woke up to appreciate the fantastic experience and privilege of being alive. I love feeling the adrenaline and caution it took to get up to the top, and then the reward of being able to relax in a secluded place and enjoy spectacular views. So many times in NY I mutter to myself, "I hate my life right now." This time all I could say is, "Gosh, I love my life right now".
No comments:
Post a Comment