The day began with a heavily requested lie in (08:30) which
was savoured by all as there was no certainty we would get another one. The
team then split into groups to see what Luang Prabang had to offer for
breakfast, some of us got very disappointing bacon sandwiches (1 rasher of
bacon, what joke) whilst others opted for more traditionally local dishes
like noodle soup.
Once
breakfast was over we began to make our way to an ancient Buddhist site in the
city called
Phu Shi and
all that stood between us and it where 300 agonising steps. Flashback to the
trek ensued. (Ed. Those on the China
trip a few years back would have had serious flash backs to Emi Shan.)
However once
we reached the top it all seemed worth it as the view stretched for miles
reaching the border of the city, the Mekong River and beyond. However our joy
was short lived as cliff decided that now was a good time to do our press-ups. (Ed.
We have to make it spectacular! J)
Despite this
our spirits were soon lifted again when we heard that Charlie had spotted some
football pitches and after our crushing defeat to the locals in Sapa we knew
this was a chance for us to better ourselves. So we headed on over under the
guidance of Charlie and despite an arduous trip and beginning to lose hope of
finding them we finally stumbled upon them, it was then we realised the pitches
belonged to a school however the calling of a game of football was too much and
nothing was going to stop us from getting in, so we found a way, split
ourselves into 2 teams and the match kicked off.
The game was
between shirts and shirtless and after a few minutes of middle of the park build up it didn’t take
long for shirts to take the lead after Jack woods played a lovely ball to Jack
Stephens who ran in and slotted it away. And although the shirtless team came
close with a corner the shirts broke away and put in another and then did so
another two times so by half time the score was 4-0 to shirts. It must’ve been
the sun on our bear skin. However the half time break did us no good as shirts
quickly put another 2 in. So as a last ditch effort we just called goal the
winner. But that did no good either as shirts put in the winner within a minute
of the call been made. Heavily disappointed, sweating and some slightly
sunburnt we headed back to the hostel to relax until dinner and the air
conditioning in our rooms.
We split for
dinner however most of us ended up at the same place “Farenheit bar and
restaurant”, not far from the Guesthouse, despite a long wait most enjoyed the
food. We then once again hit the night market and it was just as if not more
lively than the night before. Large
groups of many different cultures mixing and interchanging stories and experiences
the sound of prices being negotiated, it truly is an indescribable experience.
We made sure to make the most of our last time there and splashed the cash on
almost anything we came across in the heat of the moment it seemed like we
needed it all. (Ed. The next three night markets will no doubt
see more cash…)
We all then
made our way home, with only one minor incident our tuktuk driver didn’t know
where we were staying and it was only thanks to Baileys amazing recollection of
all the cities streets that we managed to make our way back to try to mentally
prepare ourselves for the long day of travel ahead.
Isaac Main
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