Slow Boat he Wrote

Sad to leave those adorable little kids at Mercy Ministries Orphanage, we pressed on to our next destination, which was Luang Probang to meet a business friend of Tommy’s named Ryan that just so happened to be living in Laos and offered to show us around. We heard of a few options of how we might go about getting to Luang Probang, but when we heard about the two day slow boat that went down the Mekong River we jumped on the opportunity immediately and booked our tickets at the Laotian border. A bit apprehensive at first, as over fifty travelers piled onto a long tailed boat that looked slightly less than buoyant with its ancient, thick wooden hull we soon set off with the current and were on our way. Getting further and further way from civilization, we soon began to see small villages scattered along the river’s edge. Small children would run to the banks of the river to wave to our passing boat as we slowly cruised by. Waving back with a huge smile on my face, I began thinking to myself just how secluded these people were. With no access to their villages other than by this river, some have never seen the world beyond the boundaries of their village and shoreline. Their lives consisted of only what they had to do to survive; catching fish, growing whatever crops they could along the shore and using only what natural resources they needed to get by. No eco-footprint whatsoever and one hundred percent sustainable.

Much of the slow boat ride to Luang Probang was spent reflecting on the trip so far and logistically planning out some of the next adventures in Laos and Cambodia. Quite a bit of reading was accomplished and plenty of socializing with other travelers became a must as we spent ten hours that first day on the river. Meeting new people and getting to know the most interesting characters this world holds is something that never gets old to me.

As the sun began to set, we saw the valley the river was running through transform as the sun brilliantly casted shadows and silhouetted various mountains and hills. The glimmer of the sun off of the water dazzled radiantly making it hard to not just stare at and appreciate how beautiful this part of the country truly was.

Arriving in a small stop over village for a night, we all piled off the boat, and stayed at a guesthouse overlooking the river. Surprisingly tired after a full day of doing really not a whole lot, we got to bed early that night, sure to catch the 9am boat the next day that waited for no one.

A bit groggy, Tommy and I made it to the boat and set off for another full day of beautiful scenery, card playing with a group of Brits we met, and of course more reading. Slowing down for a bit was actually quite nice; it gave Tommy and I a chance to re-energize and get prepare for the adventures that were ahead in Luang Probang.

Pulling into the dirt boat slip at around dusk, Tommy and I headed out into the town of Luang Probang with our packs and all of our gear, eager to meet up with Ryan and to see what adventures this new place might hold for us.