Laos - Part 2 - The Slow Boat to Thailand

 Mekong River Boat Cruise from Laos to Thailand   

After spending a couple days in Luang Prabang, we met up with our tour operator bright and early, Mekong Smile Cruise, for the slow boat trip up the Mekong River to Huay Xai, which is the border town with Thailand.  From there, we we hired a private car to Chiang Rai. 

This Lao style boat is long and narrow, with seating for about 75.  Upon boarding, we asked about the other people, only to be informed that we were the only passengers on this boat!  We had plenty of room to spread out over the long two day haul. I have seen photos of boats that were packed, with nothing but a seat to yourself and that would have been a bit of a nightmare.  I think the lesson here, when you actually plan any trip, is to avoid visiting your chosen destination in peak tourist season, if at all possible. 

As described, the boat is slow, especially going up the river against the current. In total, it's about a 15 hour, 175 mile trip split over two days, with an overnight the small riverside village of Pak Beng.  Early the first day, it also makes a stop at Pak Ou Caves that is said to hold 6000 Buddha statues.  Ok, so I didn't count, but there were plenty!   

This trip is amazing.  It is a long, slow trip, but the scenery along the way is well worth it and it provides a chance to see another part of Laos that you don't get in the city.  The people along the river are very poor, but by all accounts, very happy.  About half way through the first day we made a short stop at one of the tiny villages to get a sense of day to day life there.  They get their sustenance directly from the river and from whatever they can grow, I'm not even sure there was a road connecting it. This seems to be a prime example that it doesn't take wealth to have happiness. 

Our first day on the boat was about an 8 hour trip, so we had plenty of time to read, journal, sleep and just take in the stunning scenery.  It was quite warm and breezy, and it was nice to be out of the tourist crowds, cruising up the Mekong with nothing but the sound of the huge gurgling engine and the waves lapping against the boat. 

The overnight is Pak Beng was mostly uneventful, with just a walk through town and a stop for delicious dinner overlooking the river, complete a few Lao beers. Our boat left again bright and early to make it to Thailand by middle of the afternoon.  

Overall, I would highly recommend this two day adventure.  It's not for restless types that need constant stimulation, but a couple days of zen to simply slow down and just enjoy the view was exactly what I needed.