15/04/2014

Got up early for the boat and sooooo nearly just pied it off. I was so close. Had an amazing sleep and just wanted to lie in. But I eventually pulled my self round and I got up, paid and checked out. I also skipped on the free breaky as I wanted to get down there fast, as I heard if you arrived late there's even been stories of cramming people in the engine room. I headed to the boat jetty and boat a baguette for breakfast (just the bread lol) then bought my ticket at 220,000 kip. Haha sounds daft doesn't it. Turns out the boat didn't leave at 8:30 as I had thought but was in fact 11. So I had a long wait, but it was nice to sit and read a book in the shade next to the Mekong river, and watch all the other punters arrive too. I didn't dare mooch all the way back and beg for my breakfast ha.

The time got nearer and we all took our seats. I was seat 1 and was right at the front, with no other chairs in front of me, with a 'window' seat if you like. Turned out to be the best seat in the house as it meant I could put my feet up in front of me on the step and really kick back. Sat next to me was Dan, and just over the isle was his mates Fran and Holly, who had met up whilst on the road, but knew each other from back home. Dan was an intelligent guy and already done an internship at IBM as well GSK, where he managed to sort a grad job there starting in Sep. Cool guy. We chatted on and talked about travelling. He had done a working visa in Aus for 3 months, and he told me about the major money you can make there. For example working down the mines… scary figures got quoted!!! I was like s***, I'd do that for that money.

The boat ride was really nice, going down the river was beautiful and so relaxing. I read a book (Finished the Man in the High Castle - wasn't very good - and started the Hobbit - much better) and had a nap. There's also speedboats which can take you to Luang Prabang in a day. And my god they are speedboats alright! They tourists really avoid them and no one opts for them. They are really dangerous as they go so fast. As in super fast!! Even the driver wears a motorbike helmet at the back. In and out the Mekong they go which is only quite narrow.

We eventually arrived in Pak Beng where we were to stop the night. Us four and an American couple, Andy and Saskia who worked in the Silicon Valley, and another American dude, Arnel, of Filipino decent who is a musician, headed for a hotel. I was with the Filipino, and we talked about Manny Paquio and he even wiped his clarinet out and started playing. We all went for a meal, and I of course went for the cheapest thing on the menu. I hadn't been in a restaurant in months. I explained I was a budget traveller. Poor old Arnel donated me some of his rice as he said he couldn't finish it, but I knew really he was just being nice. He also kept dishing me loads of bananas and biscuits when were back in the room. When we settled the bill my 15k rice was now 20k. I said it was 15, but the Indian owner (Shock) said it was 20. I couldn't be bothered to argue in front of 6 other people over 5k, less that 50p and just paid. Back in the hotel Arnel also had a water filter and we compared haha.