Phousi Hill- because it was there

Life, as they say is full of ironies. For example, the other day I was getting the poops with the Hotel where I am staying. I have been noticing the extraordinary number of FOREIGNERS who own a lot of properties- hotels, guest houses, cafes who employ Lao staff. But rarely any Laotian managers or business people.

The hotel where I am staying is adequate, but lacks those little touches- like being able to turn on the tap in the bathroom basin without thinking it is going to come away from the wall- as just one example. -I won't even talk about the chintzy materials provided....

So, on a walking adventure- I started noticing other guest houses that looked really lovely. It began in a lane way I accidentally strolled down, which was laden with trees, cool and quiet but within cooee of the main drag. One particularly stood out, and I wrote the name down. Then proceeded along writing the names of hotels and guest houses that looked good in case I ever came back here [which I would definitely like to do, and probably before it gets any more touristy than it is right now].

When I came back from my tour yesterday- to Pak Ou Caves, the manager at the hotel remarked about how I would be checking out today! [the 31st] I of course- having looked at my tickets at least 100 times in the past couple of days- finally remembered that I was actually flying out of here on the 1st. The conclusion of this set of circumstances was that I would be basically "homeless" for a night as they informed me that they were full for the next few weeks. [I know, you are by now thinking- what has this got to do with Phousi Hill?] I'm getting there.

To their credit, the hotel owner said he had a friend that ran a guest house up the road and would ring to see if there was a room. Better than that, Tan- the Laotian staff manager- who is a fire cracker- went up on his motor bike and secured a room for me- in the guest house that was first on my list from yesterday. So I am now in a gorgeous-little but workable- Laos Style building with big wooden doors and lots of windows and a big giant Queen sized bed for the night. [sometimes you don't have to be careful what you wish for]. And I am away from the incessantly smoking French people who lived next door to me at my old hotel- YAY!

Now to the point...... [I do eventually get there]
Phousi Hill is in the centre of town - a rather large mound of a hill seemingly emerging from flat ground and rising above the city. I have been nervous about climbing it because I have been sick, but after checking in I decided to tackle it-[actually, I went to the museum, but it had closed for lunch, and the hill was across the street, so why not?] - No, really, Actually, I ran into someone of the street that I met yesterday, and we were chatting and I missed the morning opening hours for the museum.

The first set of stairs were a challenge, but then the steps started switchbacking up the hill and most of the climb was really gradual and almost flat. I made it in no time. And the view was worth it- doncha think?

Switch-back steps on the way up the hill [and down too]

Luang Prabang from Phousi Hill

One section of stairs to the top of the Hill

The added feature is that there is a temple at the top of the hill. Also behind the temple is a gun turret, left by some army after a war. When I rounded the corner, there were 3 very young monks swinging on it and turning it round like a merry-go-round.

See what I mean about ironies?
[No photos of this though- couldn't bring myself to do it]