HOLIDAY SNAPSHOTS
Visiting…
At dawn, a procession of monks slowly enters the streets of Luang Prabang, their saffron robes rippling in the wind. In a ritual dating back to the time of the Buddha, the monks silently collect alms from the local townspeople, who receive merit towards their faith in exchange for their acts of selflessness and communalism.
For many tourists in LP, the opportunity to witness the sacred alms ritual (or takbak ceremony, as it’s known), is a highlight of their trip. To maintain the ritual’s spiritual integrity, know the following before you go:
#1 Arrive prepared
Buy your alms, which consist mainly of sticky rice, bananas and other foods, from your hotel the night before or at the local morning market. The monks actually eat these offerings, and for many they represent their daily food supply. So, don’t distribute anything you wouldn’t eat yourself.
#2 Don’t buy from morning vendors
Street vendors take advantage of the ceremony by capitalising on tourists, rather than giving to the monks themselves. Some have been known to sell unsafe rice to tourists, resulting in monks falling ill. Plus, your first bowl of rice may be cheap, but additional bowls of rice, crackers and flowers will come at a higher price, and you might find a large sum of money being demanded of you after the procession.
#3 Dress appropriately
Women must cover their shoulders, décolletage and knees. Hats should be removed.
#4 Show respect
Remove your shoes and kneel on the ground so you’re lower than the monks’ heads. Don’t speak to or touch the monks. And don’t point your feet towards them at any time, as this is considered a grave insult.
#5 Strongly consider observing, rather than participating
The alms ritual is a sacred rite – not a tourist attraction. Tourists are encouraged to sit back from the street, snap photographs without a flash, and quietly observe in an unobtrusive way. This will preserve the sanctity of the tradition for locals and tourists alike.
Travelling to Laos? EL staff and readers tell us where to go!
Our trip started with a few days in Cambodia, followed by a few days in Luang Prabang. We flew on Lao Airlines. We stayed at Rosewood Luang Prabang, a quaint hillside resort. The suites are uniquely decorated, the staff are friendly and accommodating, and the Elephant Bridge Bar over the river is a divine spot for evening cocktails.
We had a wonderful guide who showed us around the town; he was a monk himself and very friendly, pointing out the cultural highlights along the way. While we were in town, we also had the chance to watch the giving of alms. In the evening, you should drop by the night market which is a fun family-friendly place to shop at. We recommend having dinner at Secret Pizza.
During our trip, we took a private long-boat cruise on the Mekong, which included a stop at a local village and the Pak Ou Caves. We also visited the Royal Palace Museum that offers an overview of the culture and history of the city, the historical Huan Chuan Heritage House, Wat Xieng Thong and the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre. On one afternoon, we visited the Mandalao Elephant Conservation, a new elephant sanctuary that offers a non-riding experience focused on education and elephant welfare. Another great place to visit is Kuang Si Waterfalls where we swam and enjoyed a picnic at the base of the large waterfalls. We also stopped by the Laos Buffalo Dairy where our daughter got to milk a buffalo! After the tour of the dairy, we had a tasting platter of different buffalo milk cheeses, coffee and delicious homemade ice cream.