It’s a given that if you go anywhere with a woman, you are going to go shopping. And if you go somewhere with two women….
The good news about Luang Prabang is that there are no shopping malls. The potentially bad news is that there are three markets; and of course we had to visit all of them.
The most obvious is the night market which takes over the roads around the National Museum every evening. This market is firmly targeted towards tourists. It’s very large, and at least five times bigger than it needs to be because there are many, many stalls all selling exactly the same items.
It’s OK to walk round once, and if you are looking for souvenirs and local handicrafts, this is where you come. True to form, my wife and her mother loaded up on crap while I took photos and sighed heavily whenever I thought they might hear me. Didn’t stop them dragging me back again for a second evening.
In the same area, at a different time, you can find the morning market. It’s open from early, but if you want to catch the Tak Bak and some breakfast before heading for the market, as we did, then it is still going strong at 0900. It’s only a small market, and there is not much there you would want to buy if you are just visiting; but it’s a good place to see local people going about their business.
The main drag.
Preparing chicken
More chicken
There will be blood
Egg selection
Rice selection
Vegetables for all occasions
Waiting for business
If the night market and the morning market are not enough for you, then your final shopping opportunity is Phosy Market. Think Chatuchack meets MBK meets the every Thai market you have ever been to, and Phosy is what you will end up with. It stretches for kilometres, both under cover and outside, and I couldn’t wait to escape.
Inside one of the buildings I photographed a couple of kids:
I showed them the photo and they went nuts, screaming and giggling. I took some more:
They went ballistic, and a screaming gaggle of kids started following me through the market.
Outside there was a woman selling ducks:
The kids saw me taking the shot and decided they should join in the duck related action by grabbing them by the neck. I took a quick snap before crouching to get the ultimate duck-throttling photo of all time; an image that would have made me famous. Unfortunately the owner of the ducks became very pissed off with the children (perhaps understandably), and retrieved her startled ducks. I was left with my snapshot and dreams of what might have been.
I would rate the morning market as the most photogenic, or even for just a pleasant stroll. The night market is there if you are looking for junk to take home; and personally I would avoid Phosy, unless you fancy your chances of seeing some kids attacking ducks.
All photos: Panasonic GX1 with Panasonic 7-14mm, Summilux 25mm, Olympus 45mm or Olympus 75mm.
Previously on our Luang Prabang trip:
Luang Prabang – a town of contrasts Luang Prabang – Tak Bak Luang Prabang – Chasing waterfalls
Still to come: Sunsets – Where to watch them (Warning, will contain sunset photographs, may be upsetting for children). Bicycle woes – What happens when you put an old man on a child’s bike with no brakes and send him up a hill. And down again. Hmong New Year – Why it’s a load of balls, but in a good way.
Comments 🔗
2012-12-27| BlogDaz saysMaybe not quite what you wanted, but still a quacking photo. Looking forward to the sunsets, would be nice if you added a few photo hints and tips as well :-).
2012-12-27| Grant saysAbsolutely 12 out of 10, wish I’d said that! Great looking markets, I like ’em.
2012-12-28| Kevin Moore saysLovely image Spike and really like the background, would like to know which lens and also why do I still carry what seems like several hundred kilo’s of Nikon glass and pro bodies with me.
2012-12-28| Spike saysOlympus 75mm at F1.8.
I have no answer to your second question. Come into the light brother, salvation awaits.
2012-12-29| Grant saysSalvation and seduction…
2012-12-30| Spike saysSalvation and seduction and a nice cup of tea. Was it not always so?
2012-12-30| Grant saysIndeed good sir it was ever thus. Ahh, the memories…