Taking the slow boat down the Mekong

August 10th. Feeling a little fragile today. A bunch of us - Adam, Kathryn, Tana, Kathy, Daniel, Adam and I were taking the slow boat down to Luang Prabang. Essentially this meant sitting in a long, skinny boat filled to the brim with lotsa folks, watching the world go by, for two days from Huay Xai via Pak Beng, to the beautiful town of Luang Prabang. We saw tons of little villages along the way, sailors working on their boats, and lots of children swimming next to shore; they loved to shout "Sa wat dii.. AKA hello" as the boat went past! Too cute!

We weren't sure what to expect but ended up having a fab time - of course! Parked ourselves next to the engine - (check out Daniel giving out a giant yawn.. tough life traveling!)....hmmn wondered why there was so much room here.. boy did it get loud and hoooooooottt back here, but just chilled out, chatted to lots of new folks - and old! Can you believe i met up with Jill, an Irish pal i met on my first trip of my first trip - on the Machu Picchu trek in Peru! Again - what are the chances! So great to catch up with her and find out about all of her travels..

Arrived in Pak Beng - a funny wee town pretty much developed to cater to the overnight boats going either to or from Luang Prabang - and hung out, then headed out for dinner with the gang. Electricity goes off at 10ish so made for an early evening but lovely just to sit on the balcony and watch the world go by (in the dark!)...

August 11th. Up for the boat today at 9ish. Of course, woken a tad earlier (around 5am) by the ole' monks as they chanted around town; its their way of getting food and/or some money by praying next to shops and houses for people who see it as good luck!!! Chatted to so many folks today - you know when i mention being tired talking that i was talking ALOT!!!! Arrived in Luang Prabang around 5pm - right on schedule!

What a gorgeous town.....we all decided on the same guest house so checked in then went out to explore. Really quaint - but more on that in my next posting!