Boat Crossing to Laos

Trip Start Feb 07, 2005
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Trip End Aug 24, 2005


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Flag of Lao Peoples Dem Rep  ,
Friday, February 18, 2005

Since the last time I wrote so much has happened!! We started by crossing into Laos by taking a 'slow boat' from Chiang Khong to Luang Prabang. It was a 2 day journey stopping off at a very desolute place called Pakbeng. This place had no electricity so going to bed was pretty much dictated by sunset and however long after the candle suply would last. This wasnt expected and to add salt into a wound, all the rooms had light switches that simply refused to work, so either a hope of things to come or simply a joke at our expense. Nevertheless the place was very scenic, sotuated on the river side, log cabins lined the road up to the temple and the mountains either side created a very tranquil environment. We only stayed there over night and in the morning we boarded the slow boat again. On both days the trip took 8 hrs, and it was cramped full of backpackers and locals. We arrived in Luang Prabang to find that all the guest houses were full and a boat load of people were walking the streets for the next couple of hours. The town is beautiful and despite its tourism had managed to retain a lot of its original attributes. We ventured to the top of the hill were a temple stands, the views were incredible and we stayed there until sunset - about 60 other people had had the same idea!! The following day we took a tuk-tuk ride to the waterfall nearby. With being the dry season the water volume was low and we were able to climb to the top, there were several pools to stop off at on the way up which we swam in, the photographs just dont do this place any justice! The afternoon was spent sittign in a road side cafe drinking Laos Coffee by the gallon, didnt sleep much that night, but highly recommended, also Beer Lao should be imported, best beer ever - sorry to sound like Bun!!
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