Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw up the Nam Ou

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December 17th 2009

Published: December 22nd 2009

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Rounsie

Our Boat

We left Luang Prabang early, had to get to the boat by 8.30 am, and my turn to be crook overnight. They picked up some food for breakfast whilst Liam and I went to the wharf. The boat was a typical river boat, one seat each side, and noisy engine. We headed off up the Mekong for about an hour, then at the confluence took the Nam Ou. You could immediately see the difference, the water was clear after the brown Mekong. The trip was spectacular, certainly has to be one of the best river trips in the world, despite the seats.

The river is well worked, along the way you see people going about their day. They fish the river, and they collect claw fish, and river weed. As it is the dry season they have crops on the banks, lots of corn and leafy vegetable. There are water buffalo and well upstream pigs, and of course lots of chickens.

The scenery is just breathtaking, every river bend reveals another range of mountains, cliffs or valleys. there are villages all the way along. There seems to be a dress rule, no clothes for the youngest, progressing to undies,

Mekong

to shorts. In the late afternoon the women bring the kids down to bathe. The clothes are washed, and all the kids play amongst being washed. I feel sorry for the intrusion of our boats, but most don't seem to mind, looking up to wave. The trip was meant to take 6 hours, but took eight. The kids were restless by the end, and we got off at Nong Khiaw near dusk. We booked into a guesthouse overlooking the river, three double bungalows.

Out to dinner, we walked across the bridge, amazing bridge for such a tiny town, and we had Indian for a change, it was ok, and everyone tired. We went back and played cards, whilst Corry read Harry a book.

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