Pha Patou Pha Patou Journey to Tranquility:

Written by Endy Khamsing

Translated by Nick Pugh

Images by Thi Sunakhene

When speaking of tourism in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang, many of us picture temples, waterfalls, and the quintessential character of the former capital but today, I will take you on a trip to rest your body and mind amidst another natural wonders on the opposite riverbank of the Mekong – Pha Patou.

My trip began in Luang Prabang, leading northward toward Chomphet district, accompanied by Lenoy, a close friend who shares my passion for adventure. We decided to travel to Pak Ou by motorcycle, a journey which took around 45 minutes, but those who would prefer not to drive themselves can take a tuk-tuk from the Night Market or Tha Heua Market to Pakou village or Tham Ting caves.

Upon reaching Pak Ou village, we boarded a local ferry which was used as a means of transportation between the villages of the two riverbanks and we arrived in Mouang Keo in just five minutes, where we met Thee, a guide and owner of a homestay where we found lodging for the night and who welcomed us off the boat. Our forest hiking officially began and on the way, we enjoyed friendly conversations with Thee. We asked him how long it usually takes to reach Pha Patou, he grinned and replied that when walking alone, he could do it in around 30 minutes and most hikers would take around an hour but at the rate we were walking, it could take up to two hours. We found it hard to believe that it would take that long, but Thee insisted that we truly were slow so we wanted to prove and demonstrate our strength, pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone and keeping up the pace. But despite our efforts, it still took us two hours and twenty minutes to reach the rest area and were exhausted.

The journey was absolutely worthwhile as when we reached our homestay, there were no words that would do justice to the magnificent natural scenery around us. We were enthralled by the picturesque azure sky punctuated by the odd cloud here and there complemented by majestic green below, allowing us to forget our weariness.

After filling our lungs with the pure and pristine air, our mood brimmed over with the calming effect of the marvelous landscape we beheld. We retired to our accommodation, which was starkly different from anywhere we had ever stayed before and enhanced by a pavilion built by Thee, himself, out of a mixture of planks and bamboo assembled into three cozy A-frame huts. As we relaxed in the pavilion, the clouds burst open into a heavy rainfall with a gust of cool fresh air which blew away any last remnants of weariness still left over from our two-hour hike through the forest.

Later, Thee called out to us that the rain had stopped and that we could pick vegetables to make soup. So we picked ourselves up and stumbled over to the vegetable patch where Thee grew his own produce. We collected the raw ingredients from which to make our their dinner on that day, consisting of bamboo shoots, eggplant dipping sauce, and steamed corn. After collecting the raw ingredients, we all helped to cook until everything was ready before dining. We had dinner in bamboo crafted into bowls, chopsticks, and straws. The food was delectable in spite of its traditional simplicity and is sure to live on in our memories for years to come. After dinner, we returned to our pavilion to regain our strength for the following day’s climb up to the Pha Patou viewpoint.

On the second day, we got an early start to travel up to the Pha Patou viewpoint, which was approximately a 20-minute hike from the homestay. Thee recommended that we should reach the viewpoint before sunrise to witness the sea of clouds so we hurried off in the early morning. Upon reaching the viewpoint, we bore witness to the wondrous sea of clouds with the tips of mountains featuring as islands, making us feel that we were no longer in the real world. After sitting and taking in the glorious sea of clouds, golden rays gradually started to make their way through the clouds, giving us yet another fabulous experience as we watched the bright rays slowly regaining their dominance of the sky, leaving us with only a memory of the beauty on which we had watched in awe.

In the tranquil embrace of Pha Patou, we discovered a world of natural beauty that transcended our expectations. As the golden rays reclaimed the sky from the sea of clouds at the Pha Patou viewpoint, we realized that this journey had not only challenged our physical endurance but had also enriched our souls with unforgettable moments. The warmth and genuine hospitality of Thee made this adventure feel like a home away from home. Luang Prabang's temples and waterfalls are indeed captivating, but it was the serenity of Pha Patou that etched a lasting impression on our hearts.

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For more information or to make a reservation, contact Thee at fb.com/sunakhene or +856 30

506 9376

Getting there: Lao Skyway has frequent flights from Vientiane to Luang Prabang

02022131456)