Speedy exit out of Laos

Trip Start Jan 04, 2009
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Trip End Feb 23, 2009


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Flag of Lao Peoples Dem Rep  ,
Monday, February 2, 2009

Guess what, yes another early start!  Can't wait to get home for a lie-in!!!  We have to get a songthaew (or 2) down to the river.  (its a big tuk tuk)  We had to catch our speedy canoes which would carry us 8 hours up the river to the Thai border.  Now a speedy canoe does exactly what it says on the tin!!!  They usually fit 12 people in them but we were lucky and only had to fit 4/5 with our big packs.  Crash helmets and life jackets on and we were off, hairing up the Mekong River.  I had this small fear that it was really early, very foggy (a real pea-souper!) and the vision wasn't great!  If I couldn't see where we were going from sitting at the front of the canoe how the hell could the driver??!!  After 10 minutes we pulled over and waited for the fog to clear a bit!  Phew!!!

So Ipod on and off we went again (engine was so loud I was glad I had remembered to fully charge it!)  20 minutes later and the vibration and speed of the canoe was not good for my old bladder! They look so small
They look so small
 !  We were told that the toilet stops were every 2 hours!!  Oh my god!!  I hadn't even drunk anything before we left but you'd have thought I'd drunk a gallon or two!  Well as you girlies will agree, when you've got to go you've got to go!  20 minutes later and I was beside myself!  Maria and Greta were sat at the back and managed to get the driver to stop.  Apparently the look on my face was pure agony!  (not just on my face either!)  So we pull up as soon as we can onto a sandy dune as its quite rocky in most places.  I ran for the hills (well the sand bank) with the girls shouting "Go Gayle go!!".  Such a relief! That was the best feeling in the world!!  I walked back to the boat grinning like a cheshire cat!  I soon started the trend however and the others had to go too!!  2 minutes later one of the other canoes double backed and came looking for us as we had stopped somewhat early of the usual stop!  Oops!!!

All aboard and now I could sit back, chillax and enjoy the ride! Apparently the canoe was going the equivalent of 60kmp and against the flow of the river.  All I can tell you is that it seemed really fast!  Best way to describe it is, well, kind of like when you are a kid and too scared to stand on a skateboard so you sit on it instead and try to go down the hill with absolutely no control!  Was great fun!!!  We stopped for lunch along the river and finally we got to the border.  We jumped out, walked up a million steps with our backpacks (thank god my shopping was still in hotel storage in Bangkok).  We had to cross the river in a ferry, sign in at the border and jump into minivans for a further 5 hour journey!!!  All I seem to do is travel!!!  We finally get to Smile House Hotel about 10.30pm and head straight for bed!
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