Hello again to everyone... I had to reduce the quality of the photo's this go around due to the high speed internet no being quite so HIGH SPEED! 10 minutes to load one photo... sounds similar to a phone connection.
A few facts to start:
The captain of a boat carrying 85 people plus crew is allowed 7 beers max (3.5 litres) while navigating the boat, should he go over the limit there is a Monk there to assist.
Diesel is only combustable if you drop your cigarette in or around it
Your seat is only your seat while seated after that it's called musical chairs
Your can sleep anywhere so long as there is room to step over you
Schedules are mere suggestions give or take 3 hours
Passports are handled like paperback novels... so one should never hand it over to a travel guide
Bait and switch is a requirement in Laos... they sell you the very best package and then they want to upgrade you to the ultimate package which you thought you bought in the first place... all part of the fun!
The rules in Laos are as follows: There are no rules and it is quite acceptable to break them
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We arrived safely at the Border of Huay Xai, and we had the experience of a lifetime. We had our visa's to avoid the line-up's but trying to be ahead of the game was not something that worked out this time around... it was delicious fun to watch the mayhem.
Once processed at the border we made our way to the meeting point for the Long Boat journey. Once we arrived we were greeted by an agent that told us of all the horror stories of what has and could happen on the boat: getting robbed, water in the river getting low and being stuck for days, pirates on the river, people getting attacked when they leave the boat or stay on the boat to sleep.... there is no better motivator than fear, but his ability to up-sell us to taking a luxury 10hr. bus trip was to no avail... what was really humorous is that he was from the same agency that sold us the boat trip in the first place... you've gotta love it.
The two day boat trip was absolutely fabulous... with some minor interruptions such as Dermot getting severe food poisoning from eating a Laos specialty, water buffalo curry... and it was delicious. Cecilia has now taken control of my food curiosity by banning the intake of anything that she considers suspicious.
Laos is very different from Thailand in many aspects, but it is marvellous to experience the culture, the beautiful landscape and some of the tricky little devils you can meet along the way.
Signing off.
Derm and Ce.
I promise to load the higher quality photo's once we get a real high speed connection
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| Cecilia improving her balance with every adventure |
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| Our arrival into Huay Xai Laos |
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Nothing but fun and games and long waits
to enter Laos |
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Finally we are on the Slow Boat to Luang Prabang
first stop Pakbeng |
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| Discussing plans with a fellow Irishman (how scary is that!) |
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| Transport on the river |
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| A little grazing by the river |
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The first time I have ever seen gas being transported
and added to a generator in a plastic bag |
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Bodies everywhere is what the Slow Boat turns into
with the heat and humidity... but it's so much fun! |
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| The family longboat |
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| Your delivery has arrived Sir. |
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| These lads have gone fishing without their boats |
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| We love sunsets |
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Our arrival in Pakbeng, we were greeted by some very swift
children who wanted to take inventory of the packsacks to
ensure everything was still there |
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| This inventory taking is dirty work! |
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| Our arrival on main street Pakbeng |
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| Cecilia enjoying her new main street |
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| Child in training |
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| What a lovely sign |
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Getting ready to load the luggage with great care and attention
before leaving Pakbeng |
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| All Aboard |
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It took too much time to get everyone on-board so I went
taking pictures |
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| Loading tree trunks into a specially design transport truck |
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| Laundry day by the river |
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If you look carefully you can see the elephant coming
down the hill for his daily bath |
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The engine room open for anyone
to visit. |
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The fuel source where the fuel is non combustible because
the captain was down there smoking while checking the gauges |
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| Some children selling their wares down by the river |
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| Wood ready for transport |
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| A nice scene |
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| A small village on the way |
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| Dermot trying to be Ansel Adams |
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| A really neat cave... I bet there is a Buddha inside! |
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Finally we arrive after two days on the boat... Hmmm let's
go for some authentic Laos Food!! |
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| This Captain doesn't drink Rum... only 6.5% beer |
Fabulous! Matthew and I--this may show up under Matthew's profile which will then lead you to believe he's got multiple personalities; at least it's validation that he's insane, although referring to oneself in the third person can get quite annoying--have been enjoying your blog immensely and appreciate the frequent updates as it gives us the chance to live vicariously.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite unfortunate about the food poisoning, though water buffalo curry does sound very appealing. Perhaps the beast hadn't been cooked throughly so it saw fit to stampede through your abdomen? In any event, living vicariously doesn't do much in the way of empathy, but we are glad you're okay and that Mammy will more actively be monitoring your food consumption.
It's wonderful to hear what great crack you're having. Out of curiosity, when it's time for the monk to take over navigation of the boat how many beers is he allowed, and is there a back-up plan for the back-up plan or is that when the tourists get to seize control? We are also quite thankful that you didn't encounter any pirates, but had you I'm sure John Rambo would have been lurking in the jungle to massacre them in his trademark dispassionate style.
We love and miss you!