Although this wasn’t an “official” tour stop, some of the tour members asked to see elephants.  We therefore visited an elephant sanctuary where we got to feed elephants.  Some are kept chained in stalls where visitors can approach them, but others run free in the sanctuary.  One of the females was in heat, and you cannot believe the noise the males make when trying to approach the female.  My ears were honestly ringing!

My friend feeding an elephant.  They like sugarcane and bananas, but pumpkin is merely OK.

We also stopped by a rice paddy so we could learn something about rice cultivation. We visited during the dry season, so no real paddies in sight, but these are the seedlings set out.  Once the rains begin, the paddies will flood and the rice will be siting in water.

The Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre is located at the foot of the Kuang Si falls. Since 2003, the rescue has worked with the Luang Prabang Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office to rescue bears from bile farms and the illegal wildlife trade and create a safe haven for these rescued moon bears who can now live a safe, healthy life.

The Kuang Si Falls or alternatively known as the Tat Kuang Si Waterfalls, is a three-tiered waterfall about 18 mi south of Luang Prabang.

The top level of the waterfalls

Sa paper, made from the bark of the Sa — or mulberry — tree is traditionally made by hand around Luang Prabang. you can watch villagers making posa paper (from mulberry bark).

At the heart of Luang Prabang, one of the oldest provinces of Laos, silk-making keeps ancestral knowledge and skills alive.

Luang Prabang silk can be plain woven but can also be weaved in intricate, beautiful, and colorful traditional designs and patterns that include ancient symbols, such as temples, birds, mythical serpents (Naga), elephants, other animals, and flowers.

Lao-Lao is a Laotian rice whisky produced in Laos. Along with Beerlao, Lao-Lao is a staple drink in Laos.

We had some rice whisky at our Baci ceremony – let me tell you that it will put hair on your chest!  We preferred Beerlao.