Crazieness

Alot has happened since we last posted. We are currently in Luang Praban, Laos. The internet service here is incredibly slow. I have to remember we are in the middle of Laos, so any internet is just great. So much has happened recently I dont have enought time or space here to explain it all. The various stories are best left told over a few beers when we get home. I will however jot down some of the highlights in chronological order to the best of my recolection.

Fleeing Chaing Mai, Thailand with some Canadians we met to cross the Laotian border due to their Visa expiring in 12 hours.

Two part crowded bus trip to the boarder crossing.

Checking out of Thailand and crossing the Mekong river into Laos at the most sparse and unsecure boarder crossing imaginable.

Staying overnight in a remote yet fun Laotian town. Partying the night away with Canadians and Australians. The locals are so nice and fun.

Day 1 of a 2 day slow boat trip down the Mekong to Luang Prabang. The Canadians somehow purchased a used cooler from a local and filled it with beer and ice for the boat trip. We turned what otherwise would have been hours of torture into the Mekong Booze Cruise.

Day 1 boat #1 overfilled at the docks with people. Designed to hold 60-70 they filled it with over 100. After a near riot and capsizing the captain decided to load up a 2nd boat. So over the side we went into the adjacent boat tied up next to us. Of course all our bags were already packed into boat #1 and couldnt be retrieved. We didnt worry too much as long as the beer made it over we were OK.

Day 1 boat #2. So much fun, I have vague recolections of poker games, climbing on the roof of the boat, and no less then 40 beers consumed by us. The locals on the boat were quite ammused by us. I think they are used to seeing the traveling white man in extreme discomfort on this boat ride. Not us...It was a blast. Then somewhere in the middle of the jungle the engine decided to blow. I guess that happens when you take an old Toyota truck engine and transmission strap it down in the bottom of a boat and connnect a propeller to it.

Day 1 boat #3. We would have been in big trouble if an empty boat hadn't of come by when it did. I doubt any of the folks living in the bamboo shacks along the Mekong had the appropriate parts to fix our engine. So after just a few minutes of sitting idle we hopped onto boat #3. Start the party all over again.

We pulled into Pax Bang and spent the night. We were at the halfway point in our journey. This town was desinged to fleece the tourist. Absolute rip off. Still only $10 a night for accomodation, but it should have been more like $5 or so.

Day 2 boat #4. For some reason we are trasfered to the 4th boat of our trip. Maybe boat #3 sank in the middle of the night..who knows. Uneventful trip, everyone recovering from the day before. Undescribeable beauty along the Mekong. Absolutely unreal.

Luang Prabang. 4 days of absolute fun. By far our favorite town so far on our trip. Remnants of French architecture, beautiful Mekong river, awesome waterfall adventure and hike, cheap night market full of handmade local textiles.

Tomorrow we move 6 hours to the south to Vang Vien. Known for its beautiful streams and rivers we will be doing some tubing and kayaking. Cant wait.

Catch you on the flip side.