Pia-Chaing Khong-Laos

Hello blog fans, stand by for a rapid update.

Since my last entry we did indeed have a very chilled day in Pai on June 29th. I nursed my sore right bum cheek and Lynn rested her blisters after our trek to the waterfalls. It was a scorching day and we spent most of it sitting outside our riverside shack reading. I started Richard Bransons autobiography that I picked up at a used book store in Pai and immediately became engrossed in it. Lynn read Nick Hornby's excellent 'How To Be Good' and we both enjoyed lazing in the sun. Lynn dozed off and snored on the porch while I rigged up the hammock I had bought Lynn for her 31st last year and dangled in the sun - lovely!

On June 30th we had a lazy morning before hiring a moped for 180 baht and driving along some backroads in baking sunshine to some hot springs. They were lovely but not worth the 400 baht we paid to get in. Locals only had to pay 200 baht. Still, worth seeing and the scenery on the drive was lovely. At night we went to Pai's top restaurant called Luan Tuang. We got a 'combo' dish and it was outstanding. Our tongues sizzled and our taste buds cried out for more as we sampled prawns, chicken, beef and more. As well as a couple of large Chang Beers of course.

On July 1st we started our journey into Laos. We got a mnibus back to Chaing Mai then on to Chaing Khong (right on the border). We picked up some English guys, a very intersting and amusing guy from Chile called Juan and a very annoying Israeli girl.

Juan had us spellbound with his stories of Chile and his childhood sweetheart. He is currently writing a book about their romance! We stayed in a guesthouse right on the border overlooking the mighty Mekong River that we would be travelling across to Laos and then down over two days to Luang Prabang. It was only 100 baht for the night.

On July 2nd we got up early and crossed the river to Laos. We proceeded to get our passport stamped and checked about 6 times before getting on the boat and starting our journey down the river. What a way to get into a country - no plane or taxi or waiting for luggage - just cruise down a mighty river in the sun.

The boat was full of all nationalities - with loads of Aussies as usual. The scenery was spectacular - the river was wide and golden brown and on either side rose green trees and mountains (well hills). I tired my first Laos Beer and it's pretty good. Although Chang is still my favourite so far. I wonder how many beers I will sample on my way around the world. Drinking beer, watching the world go by, listening to my Nano, Lynn by my side.........life is pretty good. I enjoy listening to music, soundtracking the lovely scenery.

At around 6pm we stop off at a tiny village for the night. I thought
that our 100 baht per night guest house was a cheap as we could get but this one was only 50 baht. Well under a pound! It had a lovely balcony overlooking the river and we watched the sun go down with buffalo steak! Our room was probably not even worth 50 baht per night though as it didn't have mosquito nets, the sink was blocked and the light didn't really work. Still we hooked up our own mosquito nets and made do. Just when we had settled we were told that all the electricty in the village went off at 10.30pm so the fan stopped. It was like a sauna but I think the heat must have knocked us out and we slept soundly.

Our second day on the river didn't go quite as quickly as the first. Sure the scenery was as spectacular as the first day but it was another long hot day in a crowded boat. However we are now in an amazing Laos town called Luang Prabang and our first impression is that it is gorgeous. This is what Lonely Planet has to say about it.

'Stunning Luang Prabang is a dream location for any travel photographer. It's incredible collection of French colonial architecture, dotted with delicately decorated Buddhist wat and surrounded with emerald green mountains, is the postcard-perfect illustration of historic Indochina.'

It's on the Unesco World Heritage list, it is spotless and we can't wait to explore tomorrow. After 3 days travelling we intend to spend at least 3 nights here and visit waterfalls and caves. The French influence is evident already and we may hire bikes tomorrow to cycle around.

We have checked into a cool guesthouse at 4 pounds per night. The room is spotless and the bathroom is huge. A nice change after our shack (although we loved it) and the last two places we have stayed.

I hope all is well and I'll update the blog again before we leave Luang Prabang.

Ta
Murray