Nicole crossing the Bamboo Bridge over the Nam Khan River and soaking up the serenity.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Why I went to Luang Prabang, Laos<\/strong>
\nAs a digital nomad, I decided to spend the best part of a year in Southeast Asia, where sun-drenched beaches, exotic culture and cheap living expenses reign. Initially, UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang was a three-day stop on my itinerary, to check out the famous spiritual heart of Laos. By the end of day one – ensconced as I was in a boutique hotel with river views and jungle sounds – I\u2019d fallen in love with the place and extended my stay.<\/p>\n

My highlight of the trip<\/strong>
\nCulturally, time doesn\u2019t really exist in Laos, with the \u2018Sabai Sabai\u2019 lifestyle ensuring that everybody \u2018takes it easy\u2019. Whether I was cruising the Mekong by boat, sampling spices at street markets or strolling through rice fields, the serene vibe of Luang Prabang was the highlight of my trip. With a gypsy lifestyle, it\u2019s always nice to settle in for a bit, in the midst of friendly smiles and total safety. Luang Prabang offers this on a backdrop of gilded temples, orange-clad monks and diverse natural wonders, like Kuang Si Waterfall.<\/p>\n

What else I love about Luang Prabang<\/strong>
\nEvery morning, the streets of Luang Prabang fill with silent lines of Buddhist monks. The Tak Bat alms-giving ritual is a sight to behold and an enlightening start to the day. Over 30 temples decorate the historic town centre, many of which are working homes for monks and novices.<\/p>\n

I managed to wake up in time to see it most days, thanks to the surreal chanting of monks before first light. Afterwards, I could barely contain my excitement over sipping Laotian coffee and devouring French pastries. The culinary scene in Luang Prabang is a multicultural delight, at trendy cafes, street stalls and fancy restaurants.<\/p>\n

Luckily, there are plenty of outdoor adventures to combat overeating. The historic town itself is a cyclist\u2019s dream. Trek with elephants at MandaLao Elephant Conservation, traverse rickety bridges and kayak to Pak Ou Cave. Despite its small size, a month wasn\u2019t long enough to experience all of Luang Prabang, and I\u2019ll certainly return.<\/p>\n