River boating
Trip Start
Oct 01, 2008
1
23
82
Trip End
Dec 30, 2009
Luang Prabang,
Lao Peoples Dem Rep
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Another boat trip, this time our vessel is about 1.5m wide by 15m long. We sit on little wooden chairs like those used to torture parents at primary school concerts staggered down the boat. I am glad that I had the foresight to wear cycling shorts. We head down the Nam ou river. It seems as wide as the Thames in London. The journey to the Mekong takes 4hr with a comfort break on a muddy bank. The driver takes the boat from one bank to the other in search of chanenls through the rapids. Even so, we get soaked a couple of times as the boat crashes through turbulent water.
Just before the Mekong junction we pass majestic limestone cliffs that lean out over the river. We stop for lunch and from the restaurant balcony I see a long black snake (1.5m) swimming on the edge of the Mekong. We cross over after lunch to visit the Pak Ou caves. Two caves contain 4000 Buddha statues placed by devotees. There used to be more but people used to take them away without permission. Back across to the bikes. 10 very fast km on a hot dirt road passing a village, Bang Xiang Hai, whose specialty is making rice whisky. Some is then sold with snakes or scorpions in the bottle. Maybe Bells could market a whisky flavoured with midges? Twenty km more along a wide road that becomes busier and busier with mopeds as we approach Luang Probang. We check into the Ancient Luang Probang Hotel. It is quite modern and chic . The room is spacious with a bath but the hot water system is hopeless and doesnt seem able to fill it. A situation made worse by a leaky plug........
Evening meal was at the Restaurant Brasserie L'Elephant - French! Ant and Noi looked as bewildered as we are when we go to a Thai or laos restaurant. Janice has been queasy all day and is UNWELL in the night.
