We woke up early to head towards the border where we were stamped out of Thailand and took a small fishing boat over the river to Laos. Once we got through the visa lines and our passports were checked we were officially in Laos! We got a ticket for the slow boat and were taken to the north pier where it departs.
The boat wasn't as traditional as I'd hoped looking more like a pimped out fishing boat with bus seats rather than an authentic and rustic boat which I'd imagined... However I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have appreciated sitting on a wooden bench for the next two days!
The boat left the border at half eleven and that was us- on our way floating up the Mekong River on our way to Luang Prabang!
The scenery along the way was idyllic. Tumbling mountains as bright as a dulex colour charts. All different types of trees and vines in the greenest greens imaginable canopied the hillsides the entire way whilst tiny villages dotted the riverside.However even that gets a samey after staring at that view for two days on our pimped out boat.
On the evening of the first day we pulled over and stopped at Pak Beng, a smallish town, for the night. The whole place gets over ruled by the 100 or so passengers of the boat- which is a really strange feeling. Your walking down the street stopping and talking to people as you know everyone... Which becomes stranger when your in Luang Prabang and you still know everyone, and then as you continue through Laos still bumping into people like your old friends who haven't seen each other in years!
We all split up to various guest houses in the town but mutually agree that we meet up later on in Hive bar- advertised as 'the only bar in town' which I guess is the best sales technique ever. This place was very basic but when your the only bar in town I guess you don't really have to go all out! The dance floor was what can only be described as a small cave, which had a plank on the floor that was explained to be the stage and the one line of flashing lights hanging limply on the wall which the owner came over and pointed to saying "the light.. Its for dancing!"
We all got a few drinks and got better acquainted with the people from the boat- Rob the New Zealander we met in the supermarket the night before, the irish guys who'd been drinking their way though Thailand, a couple of Austrian girls- Heidi and Sarah who were travelling with a group of friends from home, the English guy just starting out on his two year travel plans and the infamous 'Filleeeeep' from Chile who Alena got better aquainted with as they danced the salsa. I am yet to meet a South American that doesn't want to dance the salsa! When I go to South America I better pack my dancing shoes!
The night passed out at around 12- we're definitely now in Laos! Not the party nation of Thailand- if they say its shuts at 12 you can bet they'll be shutting up the shutters and sweeping around you at 11:30 looking at you silently saying "why are STILL here?!"
The next day, what is this now...Wednesday!?!... God I'm losing track of the days of the week.. I barely know the date anymore, after all those years of writing it everyday on everything you ever do!
We spent the day on the boat, this time with locals sitting at the front taking their wares to sell in the town and a few small children who were being entertained by a French Elijaha Wood look alike who was taking photos with them. The day was pleasant and I spent it reading and listening to music. The Velvet Underground went perfectly with the gentle swaying of the boat.
We arrived in Luang Prabang that afternoon and the three of us (Alena, Rob and myself) went and found a room at Chitlada guesthouse in the town.
Three days of travelling and we'd finally arrived.
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