So after getting back from the ever so great Gibbon Experience, I just relaxed in Huay Xai for the night having arrived back to late to leave. I got a room with someone I that was in the same treehouse the past few days and split the cost. We were both planning on heading to the boat pier in the morning for the 2 day slowboat to Luang Prabang, so it worked out. We were meeting up with two other girls from Holland on the boat aswell. Now this is going to be the 2nd time I backtracked through Luang Prabang, however heading to southern Laos could be done by a bunch of buses but who wants to do that when you can do a 2 day boat ride?

     The morning pace was fast, having to go get enough food and water for the 7 hours to Pakbeng, our overnight stop and get to the boat on time.  A quick tuk tuk ride later, we arrived fully supplied and at the dock. Dozens of boats lay ahead, but we are soon pointed to the correct boat and realize we are 2 hours early. Wrong info I guess. However it turned out to be a very good thing as there were about 20 car like seats with headrests while the other 80 people who would eventually be crammed into this boat had wooden benches…..

      The boat finally left around noon, and already slightly sore from sitting I was very glad I had the seat I did, along with the 3 others. The roar of the engine going, it wasn't long before the sights and scenery came into full force. Boats with golden tips, animals grazing along without a care in the world along the riverside, gorgeous mountains and unbelieveable views....

          As the ride went on, I found myself slowly losing interest and not really appreciating the ride. I felt that feeling that way was unacceptable and that I was somehow ungratefull. The fact was I just wasn't doing something right, but what I couldn't figure out. Hours went by as I ate my sandwich and fruit, until we had a pit stop on the riverside. Dozens of children ran in going up and down the aisles beers in hand as well as chips etc, trying to sell to everyone on the boat. It really made me quite uneasy and sick, a true sign that this boat was a far cry from the very local feeling one I took to Nong Kiaow. As the time went by and I kept looking at my watch, after what felt like an eternity we arrived in Pakbeng. Our boat pulled in just as the sun had set, leaving the sky a light orange behind me...

       Pakbeng.... What a nightmare. Perhaps thats a bit harsh, but this place was really not my to my liking. The second the boat docked about 25 people rush all the passengers trying to sucker them into buying there cheap guesthouse room, sell them drugs etc. We pushed through, did some searching and found ourselves a dirt cheap hole in the wall for the night here. After dropping off our bags we went and ate but took about 2 hours due to the massive amount of people that just poured into this poor little town. The truth was I was on the most touristed part of my journey, going through a town that has 100% of its existence now based off the arrival of these boats full of money. It's really not as bad as I'm making it sound to the average person I bet, but for me its the opposite of how any place should deal with tourism. Back to the room to get out and back on the boat for day two and not contribute any more to the problem.

    Day 2 started like any other, alarm going off at 8am, getting ready and going to have breakfast. There was a very nive cafe on the way to the boat pier and the place seemed so much calmer now I had a hard time still feeling the way I did yesterday. New day after all, today the boat ride would not be average, that was my goal. After all how could it be? I'm riding the Mekong river!

     Having this time been some of the last people to make it to the boat, all the seats were taken except for a few benches in the back. We took them lucky not to be on the floor as some were. Bag of goodies in hand again, we were off. The scenery really picked up here, and I was trying my best to take some photo's despite my awkward position. Being somewhat in the middle and uncomfortable, I was once again starting to wish I took the bus. A few hours past and I tried my best to enjoy every passing mountain....

     Seeing someone get up and move to the back of the boat which was really out of view, I followed him looking for any reason to get up. Down at the tail end of the boat were a few guys who found some old chairs and made a lounge of sorts on the back end of the boat drinking some beers, having the best view of all. I joined them for a few minutes before the crew gave the boot, but I wasn't ready to go back to my seat. Seeing a window just inside the engine room, I grabbed myself a beer and with one leg hanging outside the boat, I sat in the window, cuaght the breeze that rushed by, at times putting half myself outside the boat for better views. This was it. The ever loudening and defening roar of the engine right behind, cool river breeze, sitting in a engine room enjoying the ride. This brought it all back, how the ride needed to be. No comfort, not middle of the boat, just roughing it with a beer and the engine to keep me company. They were my views now, and no was taking them away. I found my peace of mind here for practically the remainder of the ride.....

     Finally I did return wo my seat, back to normal and very happy to have made the ride. My companions expressed how they thought I feel of the boat, I chuckled not saying I probably came pretty close at least once. Before I knew it we were in Luang Prabang, ready to debark. Off the boat here, free of pestering, we headed up the path to find a room. Once again sharing a room, we searched and with the others searching so hard for cheap rooms I already knew didn't exist here it wasn't fun. By the time my point got through most rooms were full as we arrived very late and after dark. Ended up having to settle for a much less desirable place..... I already was feeling itchy and ready to leave thi group behind as I enevitably do, this just made me irratated and for the first time looking forward to departing the group. Leaving for Vientiane in the morning to visit what I missed last time during my passing through. Glad I planned ahead and left something to do here. Only one stop away from southern laos and some islands! Bus in the morning.... Alone :-)