Jan 16, 2013 - Back on the Mekong River

We were up at 6am and back on the Mekong river. It was overcast, very misty and much colder. We were wearing many layers of clothing. But it did get warmer as the day progressed. Along the way we saw 2 elephants that were brought to the river to wash. Crops were being planted on the sand bars and banks. The main crop was peanuts. There is much more fishing at this end of the river. Nets and traps are attached to bamboo stakes that are driven into the sand banks. At times we would pass through Class 1 rapids. The wife cooked us a wonderful...

Jan 15, 2013 - Entering Laos

Once again we were awaken by roosters crowing. A gong was calling the monks at 5:30am. By 8am we were driven to the Thai immigration in Chiang Klong, Thailand. A long boat ferried us across the Mekong River to Laos where we purchased our Laos Visa for $42 USD. Then a songthaew, small local bus which reminded me of a pickup truck with a tin roof and 2 long benches on either side, took us to our private Long Boat. The boat has benches, tables, a washroom and comfy airplane like chairs. Tea/coffee is always available. We removed our shoes at...

Jan 3, 2013 - Pak Beng to Luang Prabang

Second Day relaxing on the Mekong This morning we did not have a “fowl” awakening, but a “canine” one – and it was at 1.30am! Dogs fighting in the street in front of our bedroom window. We had to be ready to go at 8 am, so it was up at 6 am; then the normal routine (by now) of shower, packing, breakfast. This morning we had time to watch an elephant being led to the river for his/her morning “cup of tea”! There is an elephant centre across the river where tourists can get rides on the elephants. These are working elephants, not wild...

Jan 2, 2013 - Mekong River

Today the temperature is pleasant but not warm enough to relish the cold shower. Mr and Mrs Singkham prepare breakfast for us and regale us with stories of the various elixirs that he takes to stay fit at 75. We walk down to the river to find the riverboat that is to transport us to Luang Prabang over the next 2 days. It is owned by a family who live on board in the tourist season. The boat is about 38m long and 2.5m wide and all the cooking is done in their quarters at the front of the boat. The son is very particular about respecting his...

Jan 2, 2013 - Huay Xai to Pak Beng via the Mekong River

Floating down the Mekong We were awakened very early by fighting dogs; not the usual fowl awakening but rather, a canine one. At 6 am it was time to hit the shower which is on the wall beside the toilet. If we want to, we can sit on the toilet and have a shower at the same time! Breakfast was good and at 8 am we walked to the dock where our boat was waiting. It was a much nicer boat than most of us expected. Nice seats and lots of room to walk around. The seats are 2 person benches facing each other with a table in between. There is also a...

Feb 9, 2012 - "Bad Lao Man", (Slow-boat Day 1)

Entertaining day! We evaluated our health in the morning and determined that we were okay to take the slow-boat from Houay Xai today. It's a 2-day journey, with a night in Pak Beng, to Luang Prabang (maybe around 7 hours on the boat each day). We decided to save 40,000 kip (which is only $5) by heading to the dock ourselves rather than booking through our guesthouse. It was easy enough-- a song-thaew to the pier and then we bought our tickets. We had been told the boat was to leave at 10:30 or 11, and we got there by shortly after 10. But...

Aug 1, 2010 - Zwischenstopp

Der erste Tag unserer Mekongfahrt auf einem Slowboat endete in Pakbeng, einer Stadt, die eigntich nur existiert, weil jeden Abend die Touristen auf halber Strecke zwischen Luang Prabang und Houay Xai Rast machen und eine Uebernachtungsmoeglichkeit brauchen. Schon am Bootsanleger stehen die Abgesdandten der unzaehligen Guesthouses und lauern auf die Touristen, die sich erschoepft von den unbequemen Booten quaelen. Wir hatten noch Glueck, ein sauberes Zimmer mit Ventilator (Klimaanlage Fehlanzeige) fuer keine 5 Euro; andere, die gemeint...

May 28, 2010 - Pak Beng

28th May I'm on a boat!!!!! (lonely island). Infact i was on a boat for 12hours today. A proper local Lao long boat, none of this polished White plastic rubbish. Lay all day on a latted swayable deck chair nibbling, Reading, napping and looking at the scenery all accomponied by a breeze in my hair. Much better than a bus. Actually didn't want to get off when it was time. We clambered up the bank from the river and got in the back of a pick-up to our guest house where there is no hot water or electricity after 10.30 in the whole of the...

Sep 22, 2009 - Slow, slow, slow your boat, gently down the Mekong

Taking the Slow Boat down the Mekong from Huay Xai in Northern Laos to Luang Prabang is pretty much a Must Do for travellers along this route. As the name suggests, the boats are slow. In fact, they are slower now than ever before as the development of 'roads' in Laos has meant the boat men can no longer make their money from transporting cargo so they transport Crazy Foreigners instead. The seats are narrow and wooden so seven or eight hours later you have learned to sit in every position known to man, woman or advanced yogi. Needless to...

Mar 6, 2009 - Mekong River - Pakbeng

The first day on the boat we made 1 stop at a tiny little village and took photos of some of the cutest children ever. They were amazed when I vido taped them and then showed them the video back. Too Cute. Mainly I napped (thank you graval) and read because really.. there isn't much else to do! We got to Pakbeng and little boys ran down the sand mountain to carry bags (lazy people used this service-yea child labour) We spent the night in Pakbeng (electricty for a few hours in the morning and evening.. nothing there). After a nice dinner of...

Nov 16, 2008 - Pak Beng to Luang Prabang

Our second day on the cruise was just as great as the first day. We left early at 8am and cruised for a few hours until we arrived at another village. This village makes Rice Whiskey and we got to try some its quite strong and similar to Sake. In the afternoon we stopped at the Pak Ou Caves home to thousands of Buddha statues, most are 1 to 2 metres high, are made of wood or resin and coated with red or black lacquer and some with gold leafs. The two caves are set into a high vertical cliff face on the bank of the river and are reached by a...

Nov 15, 2008 - Huay Sai to Pak Beng

We left Chiang Mai and took a 3 hour bus ride up to Chiang Rai, where we stayed for just one night. We were intending to stay longer there but we instead stayed longer in Chiang Mai as mentioned before, and we were happy with our decision. We did enjoy our afternoon wondering around Chiang Rai and getting an early night for our 6.30am pick up the next morning to take us to the Thai – Laos border. 2-day, 14-hour boat ride was waiting for us! We arrived in Chiang Kong in Thailand at 8.30am and it was a quick 1 minute boat ride across the...