Mekong Travels

Our Mekong River travels begin
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630 this morning we were collected by car - off to Chaeng Kong for the start of our trip down the Mekong river. At Chaeng Kong we are met by the friendly Luangsay staff who organise our crossing of the river. On the other side they organise our immigration visa and customs clearance, then it's off to the boat.  On the way to the boat we discover that Laos is a right-hand drive country.  The boat itself is a large steel-hulled vessel, well appointed with toilets, kitchen, BAR, and comfortable seating.  Our companions turn out to be Australians, and of the four couples, three of the wives are called 'Carol'.  This causes much hilarity and confusion when a husband calls out 'Carol'! We settle down for the trip.  The Mekong is absolutley incredible - oozes rather than flows and positively boils in places where it flows over underlying rocks.  The scenery is stunning - green mountains, river vistas, small villages and many small boats.  We are fed royally at lunch and sample much of the local beer Lao. We also enjoyed a visit to one of the local villages where the locals were waiting for us - Carol bought a traditional handwoven piece of cloth - Chris is busy taking pictures - as usual.

Local welcome committee!
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At afternoon we arrive at Luangsay Lodge. Very nice!  Off for a refreshing shower. The views from our room over the Mekong are incredible. Time for yet another beer on the deck to enjoy the sunset while waiting for dinner.  Next day it's back on the boat for another lazy day on the river. Taught some of the crew to play mahjong which they thoroughly enjoyed.  We wonder what the local rules will end up being after such a short lesson!  Again, more lovely food, beer and company.

We've heard of Chilli chicken but this is ridiculous
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After lunch we visit a Khamu village where the brew the local whisky called Lao Lao. Chris sampled this firewater - Carol watched and smelled with 'wonder'!  Yet more locals to sell their goods - watched the cloths being woven.  After bargaining Carol buys more!  Back to the boat for a short trip to Khamu lodge where we get off with one of the other couples, leaving the others to travel on to Luang Prahbang.  Khmau Lodge is an 'ecolodge', and our cabin is a sturdy tent underneath a permanent thatched roof with an adjoining toilet and shower - hot water takes 15 minutes to kick in. After settling in it's off for a visit to yet another village with more things to buy - then a hike throught the jungle to a local village garden that had an amazing variety of vegetables and rice on the steep slopes. From here we start our 'trek' to the cave!  Very slippery, muddy and downright iffy!  Our guide did it in thongs whilst we were kitted up in walking boots! Chris was brave enough to go down into the cave - on his back - with bruises to prove it!  Everbody else watched on.  Back to the lodge for dinner with more beer Lao and bad French wine.

Luangsay Lodge, room with a view
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Day 3 of our trip down the Mekong starts early - to avoid the rush at Pak Ou caves - full of Buddhas that had been saved during the war years.  The scenery here is stunning.  After climbing to the top cave it was back on board to continue onto Luang Prahbang.

We leave the boat and head off to a local restaurant for a free lunch and more beer Lao!  We say goodbye to our compatriots  to find our way our hotel - Villa Lane Xang.