We caught a local boat owned by a family from Huay Xia which is right by the border of laos to Pakbeng. It was a great day just chilling out reading books, playing cards and enjoying the scenery of the Mekong river which in parts was spectacular. We stopped along the way too explore a local village which was great and the people that lived there were very friendly the children were very shy though. After this we hopped back on the boat until we reached Pekbeng. As we approached the river bed where we were to get off i discovered that i had quiet a climb to get up to village from the river wondering how i was going to manage what with the backpack as well suddenly there was an influx of local kids jumping on board and grapping our bags - our local guide told us that it was safe to let them take them if we wented too and they would carry them up the hill as long as we gave a tip - well that was fantastic!! My bag was nearly as big as the little boy that carried mine but he marched up the hill better than i did just carrying myself!! Our local guide took as on a tour of the village once we settled in to our accomodation, it was a great seeing how the local lived. He showed us around the local food market which had some interesting things for saleand the smell well i was glad to get back out on the main street!!! We visited a temple and took the views of the Mekong river as the sun set. That evening was a quiet one we had dinner then headed back to the accomodation as the electric in the town was by generator which was switched of at 10pm !!

The Next day we were heading further down the Mekong river to Luang Prabang. When we checked out of our rooms and headed for breakfast the kids who had carried our bags where there ready and waiting outside the hotel to carry our bags back down to the river for us!! It was another great day chilling out taking in the scenry and we also had a traditional Laos meal cooked for us by the family that owned thae boat. We stopped along the way to explore some caves which had a temple inside which was ok but nothing amazing and finally arrived late afternoon in Luang Prabang where we wqould spend the next 3 days and finally be able to get some laundry done!!!