Travelling Down the Mekong

I finally arrived in to Luang Prabang in Laos on Thursday evening. The journey was an experience to say the least: a 7 hour mini bus to the border town (Chiang Khong) a short boat ride over to Huay Xia on the laos side of the border followed by a bit of a battle with Laos immigration. Then came the Sloooooow Boat. We spent 8 hours on the first day chugging down the Mekong sat on something reminiscent of church pews tomake it to the half way point, Pak Beng. Pak Beng was interesting- I stayed in a hostel for 75p for the night and certainly got what I paid for! Pretty much all electricity in Laos is turned off at 11pm so on return from dinner the fan in our cell was dead. Managed to nod off to sleep when at about 4am I was awokenby the feeling of something tickeling my face and arms. Obviously with no electricity I couldn't turn the light on so I utilized the old wind up torch (thanks Mum) and light shone down on a big fat cockroach by the side of the bed. We got out of the hostel as early as we could on Thursday morning and boarded the boat for the final 8 hour stage ofthe journey. Despite the cockroach and the church pews, the scenery was incredible and I wouldn't have done it any other way.

Luang Prabang is extremely chilled out. The first day was spent visitng a few temples, having a chat with a monk and visiting the night market where the food blew my mind.

Today we went on a white water kayaking day (honestly a lot less XTREME than it sounds!). Involved paddling down a river in a two person kayak, tackling a few rapids, stopping for a bit of a swim and some grub and then paddling some more. Me and my partner managed to stay in the kayak through the rapids whcih was an achievement...and a relief.

Tonight I'm heading off to the temple as the monk I mentioned earlier has invited us to join in with their evening meditation- I have high hopes of elightenment.

Tomorrow I am trekking to some hill tribes and waterfalls, so will update on how it goes and try to get some pictures up... The internet is much, much slower in Laos so it is difficult to find time to upload them.

Jos xx