Sandwiching our almost
week-long Luang Prabang blogger’s trip sponsored by Destination Mekong, was a
two-day jaunt to a rustic village three-hours away. The town of Nong Khiaw situates
in a picturesque countryside on the banks of the Ou River and squeezed by saw-toothed
limestone peaks. So where did our host billet us? Of course, in a water's edge
property called Nong Kiau Riverside.
Although missing my temporary
home in Luang Prabang; Satri House—where I stayed for four nights prior to this
stop—I welcomed a change of scenery and what better way than in a place with a
veranda opening to the view of the mighty Ou River.
Nong Kiau Riverside: Solitude with Nature
This riverside resort have 15
bungalows spread along the river's ridge, each having a spacious 40 square
meter floor size. All comes with a private balcony and an amply-sized bathroom.
The wooden interiors gives a feeling of blending with the nature more. There is
no air-conditioned units—which is a good thing—and you won't need it as the
wind from the river is cool enough (there's a fan you can use during summer).
My bungalow is at the number 12,
so I’ve to walk a couple hundred meters to reach it. I don’t mind though, as
the walkway passes through a pleasant flowery garden and towering trees like
hiking deep into the forest.
Hiking to the Mist-Veiled Mount Pha Daeng
The nature-friendliness of Nong
Kiau Riverside made me feel at home in an instant. It was like one of my
camping experiences of the old days of being so close to nature, only this
time, instead of a tent, I am sleeping in a cozy room.
I had a wonderful sleep giving
me more than 8 hours to generate much-needed energy for our next day’s
activity: hiking the nearby Mount Pha Daeng (narrative of that hike can be read here).
Aside from the guided trekking
tour, the resort also offers river kayaking, town immersions and cycling.
Things to do in Nong Kiau Riverside
We also visited the Pha Toke
Cave situated 2 kilometers east. This historic cave was where the Pathet Lao
forces had their base during the Vietnam War—which spilled to Laos—in the late
60s and 70s. Other activities include: tube rafting upstream the Ou River,
visiting local temples, fishing and even watching a movie at a town cinema.
Over-all, I find my experience
at Nong Kiau Riverside very pleasant. The food was good—authentic Laotian food
and not westernized—as well as the service from the jovial staff who always
have smiles on their faces. It is a place I wouldn’t mind staying in again
especially if given a chance to explore the Northern part of Laos.
Book a Bunglow at Nong Kiau Riverside (click the image below)
