Having absolutely nothing to do today besides roam the city streets. I decided to simply walk the grounds of lovely city until I got tired. I passed by a school full of children doing jumping jacks and other routines before entering the school. After eating, I went to see if the museum was open and on the way passed an older man playing what looked like the fiddle or spare change. I stayed and listened a minute, gave something and kept going. Something about his playing made me listen with much attention, I ended up asking or his picture. There's something about street music that touches me which is strange because all other music really doesn't do crap for me. There's so much to take in when you stop to listen and keep your eye's open.

       While walking I passed 2 guys looking to catch a ride to the waterfall here, and since they needed someone else to go to get the place down, I went. So much for doing nothing today :-). So off I was to see a national park filled with falls, however this time in Laos. We all chatted the hour ride there, laughing about what it took for all of us to get here. After arrival with the group of 6 we ended up getting to get the price down to $4 a person, I was off hiking up in lip flops like an idiot but hey its a challenge. The smaller falls leading up to the top of this mountain were rather dirty and not at all like at Erawan. However the people swiming and jumping from trees into the water gave me some amusement. The climb was long and at times pretty hard on the legs, but the top was simply stunning. Now on the reverse, here the top was ar more stunning than Erawan in Thailand. Flowing at what seemed like full force even though its the dry season, this fall was massive! The sun standing directly over the fall gave it a look that only being there can you appreciate it.... But I'll show you anyhow :-P

      After the time at the falls, I headed back down which is never as interesting as going up, and since I was the only one on time to the truck taking us back, I had plenty of time to grab something to eat from a stand. While waiting I had time to watch some ducks drinking away at a stream. Nothing spectacular but nice all the same.

      Once back to Luang Prabang, I headed immediately back to Phou Si hill to watch the sunset from atop the highest point around. I pictured it being a highlight of my time here. Turns out I was right, but in an very amusing and less romantic way. The top was covered with maybe 100 people of all nationalities waiting for the sunset. I was able to get to the front row by swooping in every time someone got sick of waiting and left. However even there, No good pictures were possible as a man had put himself on a rock and blocked the view for the angry mob behind which got pretty ugly. I found the whole thing very amusing. Regardless, this place is one of my favorites and taking in the view along up here is to die for. So I took my attempted picture and got one ok shot and a pretty cool one with the guy's silhouette from blocking everything. Plus a picture of all the people there for a single sunset!

      After the sunset or lack there of seeing one, I was off to the Hmong night market full of wares and food for sale. Pretty much all business is made street side here, I love it. Everythings a market, the second the sun comes up everyones out getting the freshest produce from the streets morning market, at night tents line the streets to sell just about anything else. Quite nice to see.

     Off to Nong Kiaow in the morning, a small town up river. Taking a slowboat there, and although it's 7 hours crammed on a boat with wooden benches, I hear the scenery is the best Laos has to offer on any boat ride......