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Published: July 11th 2009
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The Slow Boat
The type of boat we got on to travel down the Mekong Before I get into all the exciting things we have been up to for the last few days I should let you all know that I have finally found out that I am going to be working in Edinburgh for the next six months!!! So if you know anyone who needs a housemate let me know!
Pai to Luang Prabang
We are now into our second country of our trip, Laos. From what we have seen so far Laos appears to be an amazingly beautiful country.
We left Pai on Wednesday evening and headed for Chang Kong on the Thailand/Laos border. Our 6hour bus ride through the mountains of northern Thailand was a bit of a hairy experience. Driving through Northern Thailand is a bit like driving to a ski resort in the Alps. Winding mountain roads with 90 degree bends in them. Our driver thought it was a good idea to take each of these bends at top speed on the other side of the road - sensible!
At about 3am we arrived in Chang Kong, thankfully in one piece and proceeded to get a few hours sleep before crossing the border. In order
Pakbeng
Me at the ferry point in PakBeng in front of the slow to get from Thailand into Laos we had to bored a little wooden boat that would take us across the Mekong into Laos. So far relatively straight forward. Once on the other side we had to go through the slow process of getting our visas and passports stamped and then charter one of the slow boats heading down the river to Luang Prabang.
The slow boats are long wooden boats a bit like barges that take two days to sail down to Luang Prabang. Not the most efficient means of travel but relatively inexpensive. The first leg of the journey was from Huay Xai in Northern Laos down to PakBeng. I had read mixed reviews about the slow boats and wasn't sure what to expect. However, yesterday I was pleasantly surprised as we boarded the boat with comfortable seats and plenty of leg room - always a bonus.
Sailing down stream to PakBeng was a relaxing experience. The scenery along the Mekong is stunning. Hills covered with jungle can be seen for miles around with the occasional village. PakBeng the village we stayed in last night was a sleeping river side town clearly catered to tourists. We ended
up having dinner on a terrace overlooking sunset along the river - stunning!!
Unfortunately, this morning all that I had read about the slow boats became apparent. Yesterday there had been two boats, today there was one. It appears in Laos nothing is done with any haste nor do they seem to want to alter their plans so two boat loads of people pilled onto one boat and set off for Luang Prabang. Fortunately Fenella and I had decided to get up early and go and save ourselves some seat - a wise move!!!
We are now in Luang Prabang in the Northern Part of Laos. An old French Colonial town. It appears to be a beautiful place with a very relaxed feel about it. Over the next few day we are meant to be meeting up with one of Fenellas friends from her Gap year and a few other people she knows from living out in Hong Kong which will be nice.
Speak soon.
Lots of Love
Becky
xxx
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Andrew
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Catch the trade winds in your sails.Explore. Dream. Discover. i just love adventure.. thanks for sharing... ___________________ Andrew #1 Satellite Television Service Provider