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Published: August 31st 2012
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Slow boat to Luang prabang (LP)...
So I set off Wednesday morning for the slow boat to Laos. I left chiang rai at 7am and arrived in the mekong river village of chiang khong at around 09.00. It all went relatively smoothly although I am glad I booked the package through my guesthouse as it was all rather confusing.
First you get stamped out of Thailand. Then you get a small long tail boat across the water to huay xai where you get your 30 day Laos visa, $35 at the moment.
Then I boarded the slow boat, no.68 which was at full capacity of around 100 people. After all the horror stories the boat wasn't that bad, old car seats in 2 rows of 2 seats. You are assigned a number and I ended up sat next to a lad from Germany. The slow boat is what it is. Slow with amazing scenery, but after an hour it all becomes a little repetitive. I read my book, had a short sleep, ate crisps, buns and drank my water. At around 5pm we arrived at pakbeng. Our stop over for the night. There are 13 guesthouses on the
1 street that is pakbeng and from what I heard they are all quite similar. A little basic and not the cleanest but ok for the night( cost 200baht from private dbl room with fan).
Wpostponed numerous times along the river, both dropping off locals at their 'huts' along the sandbanks or collecting them so they could head to LP to sell their produce. It was interesting to see just how little some families get by on, yet they seemed to bond as a real community and the young children were so happy Playing in the melong river and making entertainment from just about anything. That is one thing I've this'd on this trip so far is how happy the children are. Its lovely really.
The next Morning we left pakbeng and arrived in luang prabang at around 4.45pm. I got a tuk tuk to the guesthouse, xayana guesthouse (cost £3 per nt) and was surprised to see Rachel in my dorm room, she's the girl I met in Eco resort chiang mai. She's staying on a few more days So we're heading out to pak ou caves today together. I had quick wander round the night market
last night and had a spicy Laos curry. Then an early night after meeting a few more girls from the dorm...all really nice and all my age!
I also took out some local currency from the cash machine, it's weird 1 million Kip is only about £80!
LP is a unesco world heritage and with its wars and crumbling French buildings it really is a gem of a place.
The streets are lined with Scandinavian cafes and alfresco dining and most of the sights are within the old quarter, which is where I'm staying. The city is surrounded by two rivers, the nam khan and the Mekong.
Im Just in the local bakery, JoMa bakery cafe, which I thoroughly recommend! having breakfast.. It's only at the end of the street and has free wifi too.
Post more later with photos
Love to all xxx
Just a quick update again as the photos are now loaded...I headed to Pak Ou Caves this morning after breakfast with Rachel. It saved on cost too as we shared the TukTuk cost 75000 KIP each. It took a VERY bumpy 1hr journey to get there and
then a further long tial boat trip across the mekong rives to the caves.
The caves are noted for their miniature Buddha sculptures. Hundreds of very small and mostly damaged wooden buddhist figures are laid out over the wall shelves. They take many different positions, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain, and reclining, although not that impressive as caves, it was worth it for the view over the mekong river.
I have just had lunch at JoMa bakery, a mushroom quiche and pineapple juice. I've been the the book exchnage to swap my book for another one, which is a great idea and had a nice leisureley stroll through town, picking up a mango smoothie on my way back.
Just going back to the hostel now to have a shower and read before I head out later to the market again and for something to eat.
It is definitely hotter here than in Thailand, although there is more air, so it is less humid.
Love to all xxx
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