Amantaka, Luang Prabang
It is 8 am and I am steadily trekking up a soft path to the Kuang Si waterfall. My sneakers sink gently into the ground as I walk, but the sound of gushing water pulls my attention away from the mud rimming my soles. A few more steps and I arrive at one of the most spectacular sights I have ever witnessed.
From a 100-metre drop, crystalline spring water cascades over tiers of white limestone, flowing into a shallow pool glittering in teal. The colour of the water is difficult to describe-or believefor it looks almost like a sweet cocktail, a swirling mix of sky blue and sea green, capped with creamy foam. Behind this staggering view, a small army of Amantaka staff have laid out a lovely picnic: linen-covered tables laid with perfectly baked croissants, fruit, yoghurt and glistening pots of freshly brewed coffee and tea.
The pristine scenery and fresh air are a welcome change after the winding hour-long car ride through villages and rice paddies to get here from Luang Prabang. Fed from a nearby spring, the main majestic Kuang Si waterfall is joined by several smaller waterfalls that stretch for miles, each with its own pool of fresh water inviting passers-by for a dip. The surrounding rock can be dangerously slippery, so my experienced tour guide (hired and trained by Aman) is best-equipped to point out the pools that are safest for swimming in.
There is no fixed trail through the forest but the path is easy and pleasant to walk on. Soon, I find myself at a sprawling bear sanctuary, signposted with informative boards about the illegal wildlife trade in Laos, which has left its sun and moon bear populations devastatingly endangered. The Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, a non-profit, rescues them from poachers and gives them lifelong care.
This story is from the December 2023 edition of Vogue Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2023 edition of Vogue Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A LIFE'S WORK
There are some paths in life that are a calling and palliative care feels like one of them. With great tenderness, three hospice nurses open up on what it means to offer care—in its many forms—at the end of life.
Genetic Make-Up
Digital filters, but with real-life consequences. Vogue Singapore considers the implications behind a new generation of parents choosing to edit pictures of their children.
Mythic ROMANCE
Dior's Cruise 2025 collection transports us to the enchanting landscapes of Scotland, blending romantic narratives with modern allure.
AN ASYLUM
Co-founders Jaren Neo and Becky Ng speak to Vogue Singapore on the driving force behind their label, its in-house residency programme and their hopes for a more supportive creative ecosystem.
Metropolis of IMAGINATION
Moncler debuts The City of Genius in Shanghai, a bold celebration of creativity featuring an eclectic line-up of visionary co-creators.
STANDING Tall
The Louis Vuitton Cruise 2025 collection was an exploration of postmodern architecture and the future through sharp tailoring, romantic draping and ornamental detailing.
WATERWORKS
In an era of power showers, cold plunges and #Shower Tok, there's still merit to be found in slowing down for the age-old ritual of bathing.
First CLASS
Education is the most powerful weapon, a noble pursuit that these three watches and jewellery brands have embarked on with different approaches.
A New FRONTIER
The nearly two-century-old watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre has crafted its first olfactive identity courtesy of perfumer Nicolas Bonneville.
House PROUD
Two symbolic homes come together in Louis Vuitton's latest haute horlogerie creation: a pocket watch that honours its historic trunk manufacture in Asnières and its cutting-edge watchmaking facility in Geneva.
