Journey to Luang Prabang, Laos

This was our last day in Cambodia as we would be catching an afternoon flight to Luang Prabang, Laos. We ate lunch at the hotel in its nice open air restaurant.


In Cambodia you drink Angkor beer.


Yes, I finally have enough gold for the assault rifle and can defeat the boss level in Call of Duty: Strike Team. Hmmm, what game can I download for Laos…


We would play hundreds of hands of hearts on this trip, many on the beaches of Thailand, a few in airports, and one right now waiting for our ride to the airport. Where I would have my first of eight moon shoots on the trip. Riley before a sip of beer.


Riley after a sip of beer.


We really found a hidden gem in staying at the Central Angkor Boutique Hotel, nothing over the top, but very nice, very clean, safe, a great location, and an amazing staff. Our front patio where it took Kim and I 4 to 5 hands of Euchre to remember and flush out the actual rules. We then had a close back and forth game. But unlike remembering how many times I shot the moon in hearts, I can’t to seem remember who won at Euchre.


The walkway from our room to the hotel restaurant.


The staff reminded me that customer service does exist in the world, something I always forget until I leave the U.S. The staff learned our names, talked and shared with us, made sure we were comfortable, and were always ready to help in any way they could. We were welcomed. So thanks go out to the amazing people at Central Angkor Boutique.


Dining tables.


The pool where the underwear stealing he/she once sat with his/her Cambodia rental.


We were only a dollar or two tuk tuk ride away from things and could have even walked if needed. But at the same time this hotel is tucked away in a side alley, keeping things quiet at night.




Cambodia blew me away. I never really had the desire to come here and it was more of a need to get away, or where should I go that brought me to Cambodia. Now, I just want to return. I love these people, they were all so kind and helpful. The temples and ruins are breathtaking and you struggle to find words to describe them. The food was amazing and the only reason I can think of that Cambodia BBQ has not made a hit in the U.S. is because some dumb American tried it, burned themselves, and then sued the establishment out of business. That kind of thing would never happen here, it’s a different vibe, people see the world differently, and see their role in that world differently. One of many, many lessons U.S. citizens need to learn. We had a lot more travels in front of us which helped damper the sadness of leaving Cambodia behind. We headed to the airport and got ready to board Vietnam Airways from Siem Reap to Luang Prabang.


In Southeast Asia if they schedule a flight, they fly it. It’s not canceled because there are not enough people to make it profitable, they have already built that in to their business model. So the eight of us took off on time in a plane that can carry 60. They also figured out resource scheduling so that there is never any waiting around for a crew to arrive. If only the U.S. would hire someone from here to come and fix the U.S. airline industry.


Kim and Riley leaving their last footprints in Cambodia, and in only an hour or so would be making their first footprints in Laos.


The sadness of past days in Cambodia quickly turned to excitement and new adventures as we peered out the windows of the plane to see lush green jungle canopy covering the rolling hills and cliff sides of Luang Prabang. With only eight of us on the flight, getting our visa on arrival and collecting our luggage was quicker than waiting for a U.S. congressmen to lie, or should I say open their mouth.


We headed to our hotel, Xiengthong Palace. This place was beautiful with another great staff. Unlike Cambodia, U.S. dollars were not accepted here, so the hotel converted our USD to Kip, the Laotian currency.




We had fresh fruit waiting for us in our room, a complementary minibar that was restocked daily with KitKat(s) for Riley and Beer Lao(s) for Uncle Chris, along with new slippers each night when they turned our beds down. Unfortunately for Kim white wine was not included in the minibar. We turned on the air conditioning and went to bed dreaming of new adventures tomorrow.


VIDEO: Cambodia Day 5