From the moment the plane touched down until this very second, I've been so enthralled, so entranced by Luang Prabang that I find it difficult to come up with the words to describe it. Yes, I'm pretty much speechless. Obviously, the scenery is beautiful and the architecture is lovely - but, there's something else....

There's an aura in the air - a peaceful, positive and healing energy. It's evident in the kind locals that barely speak above a whisper, the pitter-patter of the Buddhist monks' soft foot steps on their way to the wats, the rhythmic sound of the mighty Mekong that's always a mere few steps away, and the strict adherence to centuries old tradition and decorum.

This place is somewhere to take a deep breath, relax and learn - learn the ways of a people that are widely known to be one of the happiest on Earth. I think I'm beginning to see why...