"Bearly" a word

I am glad to say that we have not had a disappointing day or moment in this treasure of a city (Luang Prabang). When not engaged in a specific activity, simply walking the streets and absorbing the sights and sounds (it is really a very quiet place) is more than enough. When not in the city we reside on a mountain overlooking a forest and other compelling views.

This brings me to today's puzzler..

What do Bears and Waterfalls have in common? I suspect that under most circumstances the answer would be "nothing". That is not the case, however, when discussing Kuangsi, an hour's tuk tuk ride south of Luang Prabang. Kuangsi is home to both.

It is best known for a series of spectacular waterfalls and opaline pools. The falls are not nearly so wide as Iguazu or Niagra, but they start from a tremendous height and cascade to form many separate tiers of individual falls. At the base of each fall water collects and you can swim or wade in icy blue pools which themselves rush away, falling to form another pool or series of pools. The falls are only part of the beauty of this protected forest in which they reside.

Kuangsi is also a rescue home to Asian black bears which have long been illegally hunted and poached. The bears are now protected and a separate habitat(akin to a zoo, only larger) has been established to house a small number of the bears. Other bears roam free protected in the park.

This bear was so smart he was actually flossing his teeth!