After finding much of the cheaper accomodation booked up, I remembered a friend had stayed at this guesthouse. On arrival, many guests were sat outside around communal tables eating and drinking.
I asked the host, Mr. Somphone about a room, whereupon he thrust a glass of lao-lao rice whisky towards me and insist I drink! This was repeated with me and other guests, until it got round to asking about a room. 'Oh sure', he said, only $5! By now i was a little tiddly, and the other guests were saying, 'yes stay here, it's really nice! What a nice welcome.. He explained that bananas were free, water refills free, and showed me his several thick photo albums of previous guests..
Unique Qualities: My room was clean and of ok size, situated on the ground floor, next to the main entrance which was also the main living area of the family. Shared bathrooms/showers were towards the rear of the house.
My favourite thing was the communal tables outside. It meant all the guests got to know eachother, and was a real focal point. Mr. Somphone was keen on inpromptu rounds of lao-lao followed by him performing magic tricks! Badminton in the yard was also occurring on several occasions.
Also three times during my stay, Mr. Somphone and his wife Sy laid on dinner for all the guests: fried rice, noodle soups and delicious lao salads.
One evening I was lucky enough to be invited to a 'Basi' ceremony - see Local Customs Tip!
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Theme: Pension/Guesthouse
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$20
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Phone: (856-71) 252543
Address: Sysomphone Guesthouse, Banvisoun 22/4, Luang Prabang
Directions: Near Lao Red Cross, on a side road down towards the Nam Khan river.
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on May 19, 2007
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