Hurtling down the Mekong ....

I'm now in Luang Prabang, Laos .... Arrived here last night from having purchased a package deal from Chaing Mai, which included minibus to Chiang Khong - 5 hours north, Hotel, Visa help, transport across the Mekong to Laos and a six hour speed boat trip down the Mekong to Luang Prabang. Everything worked out as promised, but i began to get a little concerned when I saw the speedboat ... and then they handed out crash helmets and life jackets, and offered to sell us earplugs for $2.00! These things are the most uncomfortable conveyance I have ever ridden in .. or on .. They travel at 100kmh .. thru rapids, shoals .. what have you. The picture above is of one arriving at the spot we stopped for lunch ... They are powered by souped up 1400cc toyota engines .. with no muffler.


Anyways .. Luang Prabang is delightful ... it's a UNESCO world heritage site ... and no wonder .. one of the most atmospheric places I've been to .. surronded by jungle clad hills .. on the banks of the Mekong .... it has French Architecture in the old town, plus many Buddhist Wats and some great restaurants ... I got up early this morning to witness the monks doing their alms rounds ... quite a site.

Pictures are not going where i want them on this blog .. so I'll stop writing and post some more pictures ... They should be .. in order ... some market pictures, including an amazing fondue (for 2.50) in Chaing Mai ... a picture of an elephant and anither one from an elephants back ... and a picture of a Wat