Down the mekong and into laos

Sabadi, as the laos say. I have entered a world totally different to the one i was in not more than a week ago. From chiang mai i took a 5 hour mini bus ride (ouch) to a town on the border of thailand and laos. After a restless sleep (no power equals no fan equals really really hot) it was on to a slow boat for two days. There are three ways of entering laos, by land, by air and by river. I had heard that the river was spectacular so i decided to give it a go. It was also the cheapest alternative, and at this point funds dictate cheap travel. The boat was cramped and uncomfortable, but thank god served the infamous "beer laos". My first taste of that sweet nectar was like coming home. After all the shit beers in asia, here was one that really tasted nice. Anyway. The first day was non-eventful, got a little drunk and then slept for the rest of the trip. My first steps on laos soil were quite interesting. Everywhere young boys were offering us opium, marijauna and cocaine. We promptly said no, as we had heard of scams like this before. They sell you drugs, then sell your information to the cops, who in turn make you pay them a hefty fee and return the drugs to the dealer. Anything for a buck out here. Quite literally, as a dollar is worth 10 000 kip. That night was also shitty, its just a transit town and the power went off at 10, so again no fan. The second day down the mekong was much more interesting. We somehow missed our boat and had to get on a boat with the locals. It was so packed full of chickens, rice and school kids that we had to crash in the back with the boys and the bags. It was loud as all hell back there, but we got to lay down and relax. Boys you know what i mean. The scenery was spectacular. Green mountains, rice paddies, and that majestic mekong river. The hours went by as i looked out the window and thought about what an amazing world we have. How can people go their whole lives without seeing anything but their hometown. Im going to travel for the rest of my life. I love it more than anything i have ever done before.

a salute to luang prabang

Our destination city was luang prabang, which turns out to be a world heritage site. It was well worth it, a little french colonial town on the side of the river and at the foot of a mountain range. The food was what really got me. French pastries, propper coffee (thank god), pizza, sandwhiches, WINE!!!!! We spent our first day on bicycles riding around the town investigating. Got really hot so we just found a cafe by the side of the river and sipped those cool refreshing beer laos. The second day was one ill never forget. I had heard good things about the Khang Si water falls, about 25 km south of luang prabang. We left early in the morning and arrived at the falls at about 10. WEll i gues we didnt get up early, but in traveling terms, 9 oclock is early. The falls were stunning. Picturesque doesnt describe them. It was like a painting. A multi tyred water fall leading up to a series up huge falls cutting down the mountain in a 100m drop. I took hundreds of photos, but couldnt seem to capture what those falls meant to me. So peacefull, and humbling to look upon those great falls. I thought about the first person to ever see such a place, and what his reaction was. i would have passed out with shock. The day was spent jumping off falls, sleeping, reading, hiking and eating. Definitly a day to remember for the rest of mylife. That night we hiked up a few hundred stairs to get to a temple overlooking luang prabang and watched the sunset. My batteries died on my camera. It was a stunning sight, and a great way to end a great day.

a view wow what a view

Now i am in a small town called vang vieng. This is where the infamous river tubing happens, which i did yesterday. But ill keep you in suspense. Im lazy, and want to go trekking. See you all later. The best of luck to you on your own journeys.

ADAM

at the base of the big falls

goodbye chiang mai

i forgot about this

more of the last night this is a keeper

one of the falls

Scott adam and adam

sunset on the mekong

the first falls

the zip line