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Published: June 25th 2010
Goodbye Thailand
Thai border across the MekongThe slow boat to Laos was true to its name. Spending 6 hours on bus to the thai-laos border, spending the night in Huay Xai only to depart on a two day journey down to Luang Prabang. Though slow, there was at least a decent breeze, good views, and great company. A one night stay over in the small town of Pak Beng proved memorable, including some of the best Indian curry i have ever had. Playing cards and enjoying a cool beer lao on a familys porch while the rest of town crammed into the only local establishment open to take in a world cup match. People do love soccer, well futbol around here. Only to wake up to a rainstorm, broken gutter, and no water the next morning. However, I still did not smell enough to get a single seat on the next leg of the boat trip. The mekong is gorgeous with mountains, limestone cliffs, fisherman, and waterbuffalo roaming the shores. Arriving in Luang Prabang was of great relief to many on the journey. It truly is the pearl of the mekong, an old french colony with cafes lining the main street and temples overlooking the town. Luke
View over town
we journied to the gold wat on the left through the heat. and I met two Argentinian girls Vicky and Jennifer to roam around town. Anxious to move about we walked the entire city the first day in Luang going from the Wat on the top of town, trying to find our way to another on the outskirts. It took a bit too long, dont know if it was the out of scale map or the ladies navigating. Obviously we were lost when locals were quite puzzeled as we journeyed down some side streets/dirt roads. We eventually did make it and had a great view over the city. The next day we went to the waterfalls outside of town, taking the difficult way to the top, in flipflops from where we were able to pear of the very top of the waterfall our only protection being a wooden fence. Down at the bottom there was a rope swing to enjoy. Overall Luang Prabang has been a great place to take it easy, enjoy great street food, and get a Vietnam visa organized. Its amazing how a $1 bbq whole fish from a back ally tastes much better than the posh restaurants lining the riverfront and the main street. Tomorrow, I am flying
to Hanoi to spend some time in Vietnam.
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