From Chiang Khong we caught a longtail boat across the Mekong River (took the better part of 3 minutes!). After sorting out immigration stuff, We then boarded a slow boat to complete one of the "great river journeys" of the world, from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang down the Mae Nam Khong (Mekong River).

The Mekong River is as important to the Thai's as the Ganges River is to the Indians (they call it the Mother River). The Mekong is the twelfth longest river in the world and the tenth largest in terms of water volume.

We had heard terrible things about the two day slowboat journey: that the boats are so packed that they sink, that people have to sit on the floor, that there's no windows, that the wooden bench seats are uncomfortable etc etc. Could you imagine the look on our faces when we saw that the boats had ample room for our bags and that everyone got a seat, and that the chairs even recline.

Our boat had approx 140 people and for the entire time it was like a bar/nightclub. Everyone was drinking beer Lao, dancing, chatting and generally being noisy! The scenery was absolutely amazing, and the landscape was totally unspoilt which is a rarity. Our first impressions of Lao is that its a country of beauty and should be more explored, shamefully we only have a week in Lao due to our smash and grab tour of Lao, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Helen being Helen was hoping to get a glimpse of the giant Mekong Catfish (one of the largest freshwater fish in the world) - the Catfish can grow to 2-3 metres and is technically endangered :( but obviously, as the Mekong River is a slurry brown colour we weren't able to see any!

Our first night was spent in Pak Beng, the halfway point on the Mekong River. We managed to get a cheap room and on our first night in Lao, shamefully we did not sample local Lao cuisine but headed straight to an Indian restaurant to get our fix of tandoori. We had a early night as the journey was so hectic.......

On the second day of the greatest river boat journey...we were downsized to a smaller boat and all the 'party animals' were on the other boat giving us time to recuperate and enjoy the scenery in peace! The scenery became a bit 'same-y' after a while, and we were relieved to arrive at our destination, Luang Prabang. (Altogether we must have spent 14-15 hours on the boat!).