To Luang Prabang

We had a choice; take the speed boat to Luang Prabang in six hours or take the two-day slow boat stopping overnight at a village. We chose the latter - probably wise. Neither option is considered comfortable but the speed boat has been known to claim lives.
Picture a wooden boat with rows of hard wooden seats - and about 90 tourists crammed inside. Those 90 tourists are aged in their twenties and they all like drinking beer. That was what our two-day journey to Luang Prabang was. It was like a party on a boat - but the beer was warm and in between excited chatting you had long stretches of silence when everyone wanted to sleep but couldn't get comfortable. It doesn't sound too great but when noone has to get up to go to work in the mornings and our sole task each day is to see sights and try to have as much fun as possible, the lack of stress provides enough comfort to carry you through!

The view from where we sat

Pakbeng - the tiny village at the half way point where you spend the night - is pretty basic. The generators are switched off at 10pm, which means no fan during the night. And the locals tell you to get back to your room before lights out because otherwise people are likely to start breaking into your room to steal your valuables. Great!

Looking out our window at the guesthouse

There's not much more to say about the two day boat trip. The scenery was obviously amazing - it always is - and we met a new group of friends who we will hang out with on and off as the journey continues. Most people are heading in the same direction but on different time schedules, so you always seem to run into each other along the way. Our introduction to Laos has been a great one. So relaxing.