A fun filled day was planned randomly on the sidewalk the previous evening when we ran into Matt and Gabi who we had met on the cruise. We decided to rent scooters and the four of us would drive around the area to check out a couple of waterfalls.
The first stop of the day was at a bear rescue sanctuary that is located a very short distance from the base of Kuang Si falls. The asiatic bears that are on display have been rescued from captivity where there bile was being extracted for Chinese medicine. Poaching is a huge problem in Asia and these sanctuaries help promote crackdowns on the illegal trafficking of animals. The bears seemed very relaxed in their enclosures and it was cool to see them up so close. When one made a roar it started many of the onlookers.
The second stop of the day was Kuang Si Falls. This huge multileveled waterfall was bursting with water. We had a very warm walk up through the jungle side trail and were happy to find very few people at the top of the falls. The four of us enjoyed a short but very refreshing swim in the pool at the top of the falls. Despite being only 25 feet from a huge drop over the falls we felt very safe as the water was shallow and the current minimal, plus a couple of bamboo fences would have caught us before we went over.
We attempted to find the cave and water spring but after walking for a kilometer the signs indicated another kilometer and half, so we turned back and called it a nice stroll in the jungle. The walk down the waterfall as fun, water as pouring over the pathway and kept us cool as we made our way back to the main level. Finding a small path we continued down a couple more levels where we took a swim in a small area that we had to ourselves. The currents were much stronger here but still safe. Eventually we left the park and found lunch at a small spot outside. Lunch was enjoyed and we hopped back on our bikes for a 30 second jaunt down the road to a butterfly conservatory that we had found out about at breakfast. This very cool spot run by a Canadian woman featured many varieties of orchids and butterflies. She was very helpful in pointing out a few of the butterflies and explaining their lifecycle via a small demonstration. We enjoyed the natural fish spa within the butterfly sanctuary before heading back to our bikes.
The ride over to the next waterfall was an adventure. A couple areas of construction and google maps taking us down a dirt road added to the fun of the day. We arrived at the river side for the boat ride to Tad Sae falls around four o'clock. We paid for a boat to take us across the river to the falls. When we arrived we were the only ones at the falls which was very cool. We spent about 45 minutes touring the falls before returning to the boat, then our bikes, and driving back into town as the sun was setting.
Yet again we cleaned up and went to dinner. Meeting Matt and Gabi at Joy's Restaurant we enjoyed a delicious meal and highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Luang Pabrang. Following dinner we headed over to Utopia pub where we were joined by another couple from the cruise, Killian and Amanda. Beerlao was enjoyed with a view over the river and a good time was had by all.
The first stop of the day was at a bear rescue sanctuary that is located a very short distance from the base of Kuang Si falls. The asiatic bears that are on display have been rescued from captivity where there bile was being extracted for Chinese medicine. Poaching is a huge problem in Asia and these sanctuaries help promote crackdowns on the illegal trafficking of animals. The bears seemed very relaxed in their enclosures and it was cool to see them up so close. When one made a roar it started many of the onlookers.
The second stop of the day was Kuang Si Falls. This huge multileveled waterfall was bursting with water. We had a very warm walk up through the jungle side trail and were happy to find very few people at the top of the falls. The four of us enjoyed a short but very refreshing swim in the pool at the top of the falls. Despite being only 25 feet from a huge drop over the falls we felt very safe as the water was shallow and the current minimal, plus a couple of bamboo fences would have caught us before we went over.
We attempted to find the cave and water spring but after walking for a kilometer the signs indicated another kilometer and half, so we turned back and called it a nice stroll in the jungle. The walk down the waterfall as fun, water as pouring over the pathway and kept us cool as we made our way back to the main level. Finding a small path we continued down a couple more levels where we took a swim in a small area that we had to ourselves. The currents were much stronger here but still safe. Eventually we left the park and found lunch at a small spot outside. Lunch was enjoyed and we hopped back on our bikes for a 30 second jaunt down the road to a butterfly conservatory that we had found out about at breakfast. This very cool spot run by a Canadian woman featured many varieties of orchids and butterflies. She was very helpful in pointing out a few of the butterflies and explaining their lifecycle via a small demonstration. We enjoyed the natural fish spa within the butterfly sanctuary before heading back to our bikes.
The ride over to the next waterfall was an adventure. A couple areas of construction and google maps taking us down a dirt road added to the fun of the day. We arrived at the river side for the boat ride to Tad Sae falls around four o'clock. We paid for a boat to take us across the river to the falls. When we arrived we were the only ones at the falls which was very cool. We spent about 45 minutes touring the falls before returning to the boat, then our bikes, and driving back into town as the sun was setting.
Yet again we cleaned up and went to dinner. Meeting Matt and Gabi at Joy's Restaurant we enjoyed a delicious meal and highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Luang Pabrang. Following dinner we headed over to Utopia pub where we were joined by another couple from the cruise, Killian and Amanda. Beerlao was enjoyed with a view over the river and a good time was had by all.
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| At the top of Kuang Si |
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| The water was roaring |
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| Kuang Si |
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| Lower down at Kuang Si |
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| A caterpillar that looks like a snake |
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| Asian Monarch in flight |
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| Random Chicken on the road |
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| the stages of life |
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| many chrysalises |
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| Caterpillars are hungry creatures |
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| A spider outside the bear sanctuary |
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| Tad Sae |
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| Tad Sae |
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| Tad Sae |
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| Boat to head back |
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| Traditional Laos Boat Racing |
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| Duck Laab at Joy's |
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