Writers Journey: Mekong Meditations

Mekong Meditations

Dec 5-11 , 2011 (Arrive Dec 4, Depart Dec 11 )

(or stay on from Mekong Writers Lab the previous week)

LUANG PRABANG - A Writer’s Heaven

The charming heritage listed town of Luang Prabang, where the Nam Khan River meets the mighty Mekong in Central Laos, is the location for this unique writing sojourn. Morning writing workshops leave time for exploring buddhist temples, museums, galleries and local markets. On both sides of town, open air cafes provide the perfect place for writers to contemplate the powerful
presence of the river and catch a spectacular sunset before browsing the night market with its array of antiques, Hmong embroidery and delicious Laotian food. There’s also fine dining in restaurants across town, excursions up river to villages that rarely see tourists, visits to local weavers, artisans and a chance to help out with a local literacy project.

DAILY WORKSHOPS

Each day Jan will guide you in meditative writing and creativity techniques you can use in your daily explorations. She will also introduce you to the art of travel haibun, a form of descriptive writing used by the Japanese haiku poet Basho on his pilgrimages in Japan. Exercises evoking the senses and elements will complement visits to local artists who will share their knowledge of paper making, paper cuts, bamboo weaving and collage methods. Using local handmade papers, traditional fabrics and oriental stitching, by the end of the week you will not only have written a collection of writings but made a book to put them in.

COST: $1995 ($150 off if you also attend Mekong Writers Lab the previous week – see separate page) includes accommodation plus breakfast at The Apsara or SalaPrabang boutique hotels, excursion costs and the week’s tuition. Early Bird pay in full by May 1, $1615.

Some places are available at reduced price for expats and nationals resident in SE Asia. Contact Jan for details

This price does not include airfare, lunches, dinners, alcohol, travel insurance or any other expenses incurred during the course.

Payment: a non-refundable deposit of $500 will secure your place. Full payment due by Sept 30 ( cancellation conditions apply – please read terms and conditions at the bottom of this page).

Booking: contact Jan for payment method and information sheet.

FLIGHTS - flights in daily from Bangkok, Siem Reap, Chiang Mai with Thai Air, Bangkok Air and from Hanoi on Vietnam Air. Visa on arrival. $30US

A cheaper option is AirAsia from Melbourne, Gold Coast or Perth to Kuala Lumpur, overnight stay in Airport Tune Hotel then KL to Vientiane where you can pick up a same day flight with Lao Airlines www.laoairlines.com to Luang Prabang (Don’t confuse it with Lao-Airlines which apparently is a ticket scam).

WEATHER – November, December falls in the dry season with cooler temps between 25 – 30 C. It can get cold at night so bring some warm clothes as well.

ACCOMMODATION - We have a group bookings at TheApsara and The Sala Prabang near the centre of town.The Apsara looks over the Nam Khan River and has ‘stately colonial rooms boasting a contemporary style’ while Sala Prabang has ‘elegant rooms with history’ and views of the Mekong.

Daily workshops take place at The Apsara and the Sunset Café.

MAP OF CENTRAL LP

DAILY ITINERARY Dec 5 – 11.

(Subject to change to according to local conditions, opportunities and needs of the group).

9am -11am – morning workshops at The Aspara

11am – 12noon – zine/artist book making workshop

12 – 1pm – lunch

2 – 5pm – free writing time/ excursions

5 – 6.30pm – readings and feedback sessions at Sunset Café

7.30pm – dinners in town at L’Elephant, Utopia, Hive Bar, 3 Nagas, Night Market.

Dec 4 - final workshop 9-11am, check out