The Slow Boat To Laos

The Slow Boat Down the Mekong, From Thailand to Laos

Despite some of the horror stories I had heard before undertaking this latest adventure, a two-day boat ride down the Mekong, it was actually a very relaxing and beautiful journey. The scenery, the reading, the socializing, the napping, the eating – it was all quite lovely, actually.

And now I’m in Luang Prabang, that most romantic of South East Asian cities. I’ve only been here for 12 hours but already I’ve fallen in love with its charming people, its cheap beer Lao, its incredible night market, its quiet, temple-lined streets, its general atmosphere, personality, vibe. Because I spent so long in Chiang Mai and Pai before arriving in Laos, my time here is a bit limited, but I’m going to try to make every single day count, down to the last drop of delicious Lao coffee.

I’m off to Wat Xiang Thong now, and then another night eating street food and shopping in the night market before heading out for an evening on the town. And in Luang Prabang, a night out on the town means only one thing… the bowling alley. Everything else closes by midnight. Ah, Laos…