Jananas

How many people get to write blog posts with titles like the above? We crossed the border from northern Thailand into Laos via some very sketchy boats. It might have been the best border crossing ever, as the officials were laid back and the views were great.

Once in Laos its a two day slow boat ride down the Mekong to get to Luang Prabang (which incidentally was one of our favorite places on the trip). There are two options for the boat ride: the normal slow boats or the fancy version. I ended up choosing (for us) to take the fancy version. It meant comfy seats, a nice hotel, and good food. It also meant stodgey lawyers/investment bankers/etc. and their wives. We were definitely the odd couple out! The normal slow boat is less comfy, but is packed with younger backpackers so you’ll meet lots of people!

Regardless of which you choose, the scenery is the same and the views are, well, unbelievable. Quite literally, as we had to keep reminding ourselves that we were on the Mekong River.

Most the of time we were on the river it was misty enough that it was difficult to get really good photos. Instead I concentrated on enjoying the view on my own, without seeing it through the lens of a camera. We did see lots of kinds of wildlife – cows and pigs and chickens and water buffalo. We saw peanuts being planted on small beaches. We saw fishermen and their various types of nets/contraptions (which might have been one of my favorite things). We saw kids from the hill tribes frolicking. Mostly though, we saw miles and miles and miles of nature. No wires, no bridges, no roads, no vehicles – nature and forest and life.

This is the cabin we stayed in. The resort was pretty swank overall, but this might have been the nicest place we stayed in the entire trip. I was a little bummed that we didn’t get a double/queen, as it was quite chilly at night and I could have used some of Jason’s body heat.

Before bed we curled up together (yes we can fit and sleep comfortably in a single bed). This might be one of my favorite photos of us from the trip. It also reminds me that, yes I did indeed get tanned (the visible parts at least) while traveling.

Both days on the boat, we stopped off to see the sights – hill tribe villages and the Pak Ou Caves. There are more blog posts waiting to be written about those experiences. They’ll come when the words do.

Here’s one last photo to give you a better idea of just how fantastic the views could be – the blue, blue skies and the green, vibrant jungles, and the muddy river.

The boat trip down the Mekong River was one of the best parts of the trip. We didn’t have anything to do other than relax. Laos has been one of the few places in the world where that rushed impatience of Western culture could melt away. Where I could breathe and exist. And where that was good enough to consider it a day well spent. I can’t recommend this any more than by saying that if you do get the chance, please take it.

More from jananas

• The Dilemmas of Working
• Introducing Lila, the dog we found at the side of the road
• Homemade Lilac Jelly