Boat trip to Luang Prabang
Trip Start
Aug 12, 2008
1
3
26
Trip End
Nov 21, 2008
Luang Prabang,
Lao Peoples Dem Rep
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Fri 22/Aug:
We took a mini-boat across the river from Thailand to Laos, and got our 30 day Visas to visit Laos (30 US dollars). We hopped on a slow-boat, and although we were encouraged to take a public bus to our destination city, we opted for the boat. I was skeptical. One thing I've been picking up here, is the culture of bargaining and persuasion. Everything is like a game of poker. When I see something I like at a market, I pretend like I'm not that into it, once you give away you like it, they won't go down that much in price. If they feel like they sold you, then you ultimately get the lowest price, and they get a sale
Flip
. So, this guy was really amped on us taking this 12 hour bus, INSTEAD of the two days on the boat like we paid for. We opted out, he was pissed, he basically would have made more money off of us if we were to take the bus, because it's cheaper per person, and we had already pre-paid the company for the boat. So I think we made the right decision.The Boat was rad, we met a ton of travellers, a lot of people are on a year travel trip. I broke out the guitar, sat on the bow of the boat, and we sang songs floating down the Mekong. The scenery is insane, jungle on both sides of you. They say that over 75% of Laos is unaltered wilderness, and it's apparent when you're floating down the Mekong. There's only land cleared for farming, and only farming near the villages, and those are far-between each other here. It was awesome. Reminded me of those old Vietnam movies or something. It was epic.
Boat Seats, Day 2:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k38/misajon/DSC03196.jpg
Comments
OBAMA
obama mama! did you hear about this in Laos?
He has accepted the Nomination and selected Joe Biden to be VP tonight 8/28
Just thought you might shed a tear or two for Hillary knowing how vehemently you and Lauren supported her.
Waiting for another entry:-)
yo mama!