tourist vs gekko

slow boats
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We traveled up to Chaing Khong (across the river was Huay Xai - the border crossing town) so we could cross over into Laos.  Where we caught a slow boat ride (2days/1night in Pak Beng) down the Mekong River.  I would love to say that the boat ride was uneventful but instead it is abundant with experiences.

First (this is more for myself than readers, so you can skip down if you would like) I would like to note that I was saddened to leave Chiang Mai.  I had such a good time and found those goodbyes hard.  I have had a lot of time for reflection so many of my future plans have been pondered.  Do I want to live the way I do? What do I want to do in the future? travel nursing? cold weather areas?Time and new scenery can promote lots of new thoughts.

Mekong River view
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Secondly, I would like to add that J.H. had no idea what he was talking about.  The Thai people have been so friendly, kind, helpful, amicable, that I have to wonder where he was at and what he was doing to see what he claims to have seen.  Dad, you needn't worry so much b/c I am in good hands. . . God's are big enough to take care of me.  I am quite upset at what he had to say.  My lesson from him, don't always take a person's word for something, b/c it can be just that - words.

Pak Ou caves from Mekong River
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Okay, the boat ride.

As we board this rather large looking boat, we see wooden benches tied together in two rows: one along each side wall.  We find our new home towards the back and wait as it fills up.  It slowly, but surely fills up with Paris Hilton sunglass wearers, short skirt, beer drinking, techno music, disrespectful tourists.  The guys in front of me drank beer all day.  They kept knocking over their beers and spilling them under their seat, which subsequently drifted closer to my foot space.  Their frequent smoking habits drifted back to me until there was no escape - so much for fresh air.  At one point one of the locals tried to sell a small brick of weed, (500 baht) maybe 2/3 joints worth, to these people.  They were all excited and had to look at it, but then none of them bought any.  I was annoyed b/c I would have preferred to have smelled that smoke verses their cigarettes.  Worse of all was the repetitive beat of techno that I was forced to listen to for about 5-6 hours until about 2 hours upon arrival when they dropped their radio and the batteries scattered into their beer spillage.  No need to worry, only two other groups had techno playing now.

houses along Mekong River
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I was so relieved to disembark at Pak Beng.  When we got off there was a huge crowd of people yelling/grabbing for attention to stay at their places.  During this there were two little boys pointing at my backpack trying to get my attention.  I had an empty can of pringles on the outside so I could throw them away and not litter them, finally one little boy just came up and took it.  Had it been something I cared about (I wouldn't have had it there anyway), but I think I would have gone over to him, taken it back, and smacked his hands.  I really didn't care b/c it was empty.  Another note to self:  when going on long travel trips like that, always bring food, only junk food is sold and there are no stops for things like that.

the same type of gekko that bit me! Only I think mine was a little smaller!
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Jema and I decided to go for a nice walk as the sun was at its end.  The town only had one road and it went up. So we followed it and looked for places to eat.  As we got into the dark areas I felt an electric shock shoot up my leg.  We had to squint in the dark to see what it was.  A 6-8 inch lizard looking thing was making his way to the ditch.  He bite my ankle!  My only guess was that it was dark and I stepped too close to it and scared it.  We had to investigate from the locals what they thought it was.  Interestingly, after we ate dinner that Suvaun (shoe-on) enticed us to, he took me to a place selling medical supplies.  While there, two guys had a nasty white gekko in a jar. They kept saying "kap-kay or kaplayo".  Suvaun told me it was a goodbye lagon.  What I understood was that it was something like a snake.  Which explained the two puncture marks and the swelling and burning.  Good thing I forgot to get travel insurance before I came!  I had intentions of getting it, I just forgot in the last few days. Seriously, who gets bitten by a gekko?  How does that happen?

Before I went to bed I took some dramamine in hopes the antihistamine effect would help my foot.  It did, but my head felt woozy in the morning.  It was hard to get moving, but I figured some food would help.  We went back to Suvaun's restaurant b/c it was so kind the night before.  He was 22years old with a wife and 1 year old daughter.  They own their little restaurant and that is their quite little life.  He had some sticky rice/coconut milk/sugar put in a bamboo shoot that he was eating for breakfast.  He gave us a bit and it was delicious.  He called in kowlam.  Excellent!  We ordered crepes and a lunch to go.  It was all so delicious.  Thanks Suvaun for everything!

The second day ride was uneventful.  I couldn't sit on the bench normal b/c their wasn't enough room between my bench and the bench in front of me.  Therefore I kept my legs in the isle most of the time.  I think the drunkards slept off most of their day.  I didn't really see or hear from them.

The view was gorgeous though.  Besides the jagged landscape we passed a famous Buddhist cave of Pak Ou.  We continued to see villages lining the river and frequently we would stop to pick up/drop off people and supplies.

When we docked for the final time, I stepped in a huge mud puddle.  My muddy flip flop and foot managed to get us up the hill and to find a guest house though.  I guess it was a good way to end the slow boat ride.  Couldn't have been more appropriate.

We have finally arrived in Luang Probang and will stay for 1-2 days.  The weather is cooler here and is a nice change from the hot and humid weather we've had for so long.