Day 48 On The Slow Boat to China...errrr. Luang Prabang.

Slow going. I was up at the bright hour of 6am to get the bus to the boat launching in my quest to ride the Mekong to Luang Prabang, Laos. For the first time in history of the world transportation in Asia was early and as a result I am less one alarm clock. I had a perfectly planned to be ready at the stated pickup time of 45 after.....so some details were left unattended. I am sad to have lost my friend who has kept me alert and on time for this journey. Now to find one that glows in the dark and maybe has a snooze button?

Anyways, I am getting distracted. The journey from Chang Kon, Thailand to Luang Prabang, Laos takes two days. Yes, that is two days on a boat. It is both awesome and horrible...but more to the awesome side I thought. The first day we got a late start and did about six or seven hours of reading, photographing, drinking and snacking. This landed us in a town populated by other slow boaters for the night. Now, the shit part is that we were dumped off on the side of a hill of sand. No lights, dark dark dark in the night and can I say the word chaos is a complete understatement! Fudge! Thankfully the drunkards at the front of the boat got their stuff together enough to help pile bags on the shore and after a good 20 minutes almost all the bags are gone and I still bagless....I found my bag attached to a small Laotian man. He wanted to carry it up the hill for me for a small fee. Normally I would oblidge but I had few precious kip to buy dinner and lunch for the next day and couldn't spare a one. After prying it loose I had to hunt for accomodations and find some food. I discovered upon more questioning that this is what happens everyday. I would go bloody crazy if I had to deal with the crazy tourists everyday. I can't believe that no one has come up with a better idea or bought a flippin flashlight.


The boat. Day one. Everyone still look excited, and a bit squished.


The K-9 traveler. This little Euro dog is seeing the world with his owner and boy is he good at making friends. I think it plopped right no my legs for about half an hour or so....cutie!


Slow boats