From the first evening, just shortly after arrival, I knew I was going to love Luang Prabang. Ofcourse the beautiful and colourful sunset, together with a view over the city and the mountains, added to that feeling, but after spending four days in this city, I would not say anything different.

Luang Prabang, with its 106,000 inhabitants, is celebrating its 19th anniversary as UNESCO world heritage site this month. Due to this status, no buses and trucks are allowed in the old town.

After running around in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, this small city feels like a nice to place to relax and wander around. It is hard to explain its kind of magical and calm atmosphere, Luang Prabang makes you feel at home instantly.

The city’s architecture is a beautiful mix of French colonial and traditional Lao styles. It has small ‘french’ squares, where the Luang Prabang Film Festival is held this week, next to the night market, and although there are hundreds of people gathered, it still feels calm and peaceful.

We spent the days visiting the various temples, wandering along the river Mekong and the many beautiful small restaurants at the waterside, taking a Lao massage, listening to monks chanting in the early evening, crossing the Nam Ou river by a bamboo bridge, eating Laab Kai (minced chicken salad, delicious!), taking a swim at the pool on the hill overlooking the city, visiting the night market, biking the streets in between the tuk-tuks, motorcycles and cars, watching the -what could easily be one of the most amazing ever- sunset at the river side, and last but not least, putting the running shoes on for a run through the city.

Enjoying the last day in Luang Prabang with a real good capuccino (lao coffee is a different cup of tea), and a chocolate cake at a local French bakery, we are slowly getting ready for our next destination: Hanoi, Vietnam.