Slow boat to Thailand

Trip Start Nov 29, 2008

Trip End Jan 18, 2009

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Flag of Lao Peoples Dem Rep Pakbeng, Lao Peoples Dem Rep
Wednesday, January 14, 2009

An early start to the day, as we're into the tuk-tuks by 7:30 am to head to the river for our longboat ride to Thailand. The boat is freezing! Northern Laos has massive temperature swings between day and night. I spend the first 2 hours on the boat wearing four layers of clothing, plus a thick blanket and still being cold.

At ten, we stop at the famous Pak Ou caves for half an hour. Incredible what a difference the sun makes. By 10:30, it's nice and sunny out. The top is off of the boat, and we're sitting around in the open air. Each half hour seems to lead to another layer of clothes coming off. By lunchtime I'm down to my T-shirt and sunning myself on the deck. As afternoon approaches, the clothes go back on at the same rate.

We pull into Pak Beng just around dusk. It's cold, but not as bad as LP was in the morning. Dinner is at a fine nearby Indian restaurant, where Tanya leaves her super expensive camera! She doesn't remember it until next morning when the restaurant is closed, but thankfully our guide is able to track down the owner and recover the camera! Good save.

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