Sunday, February 05, 2006

Second Day on the Mekong River, Laos

The second day on the boat was slighty better. Again they crammed us in. The boat listed to one side, but it didn't seem to worry the driver! It was probably normal. Having commandered a couple of plastic patio chairs we sat at the back of the passenger area this time - way more comfortable than the day before. It was quite sociable back there and we chatted with people we had met the day before at the festival. The time passed and we admired the beauty of the river. The Mekong is 3050 miles long (4880km) originating in Tibet, flowing through south western China making up the border between Laos and Burma and Thailand, flowing through Laos and Cambodia right into the South China Sea. The scenery as we flowed through Laos was beautiful in places - hills and ridges of dense jungle followed by the sad stubble left behind from the occasional logging. It was interesting to watch life on the river as we chugged past - the bamboo villages up on stilts, kids playing and swimming in the river, people fishing, washing clothes or tending their crops on the sand dunes that were the river banks. It seemed very laidback and peaceful. * Mush

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