Mekong Cruise Day One

We took a cruise down the Mekong from Houay Xay, Laos to Luang Prabang. These photos are from the first day. We saw some amazing scenery along the way, got to experience daily life on the river, visited a Hmong (Hill Tribe) village and finally overnighted in the small town of Pak Beng, Laos,

After a six hour bus ride from Chiang Mai we arrive in the bustling riverside town of Chiang Khong.
Asia Chiang Khong Golden Triangle Laos Places Siam Southeast Asia Thailand
A man on a scooter with his dog in the side car.
Animals Asia Chiang Khong Dogs Golden Triangle Laos Places Scooter Siam Southeast Asia Thailand Transportation
Looking across the Mekong River from Chiang Kong, Thailand to Houay Xay, Laos. A Mekong slow boat makes its way up the river late in the day.
Asia Chiang Khong Golden Triangle Houay Xay Houei Sai Lao Slow Boat Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Siam Southeast Asia Thailand Transportation
A couple sells street food along the Mekong waterfront.
Asia Chiang Khong Food and Beverage Golden Triangle Laos Mekong River Places Siam Southeast Asia Street Food Thailand
Architectural detail on a temple in Chiang Khong.
Achitectural Details Architecture Asia Buddha Buddhism Buddhist Temple Chiang Khong Golden Triangle Laos Places Religion Siam Southeast Asia Thailand Wat
A man helping to steer a slow boat near the dock in Chiang Khong.
Asia Golden Triangle Lao Slow Boat Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
We have crossed the Frienship bridge to Laos, boarded our Shompoo Cruise boat and set out on our adventure.
Asia Golden Triangle Houay Xay Houei Sai Lao Slow Boat Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Our comforatble Shompoo Cruise boat. Home for two days, although overnighted in a hotel.
Asia Golden Triangle Lao Slow Boat Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
A trio os Lao "Three-plank" canoes in front of a banana grove.
Asia Fisherman Fishermen Golden Triangle Lao ThreePlank Canoe Laos Mekong River Places Professions Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
A man driving a Lao Three Plank Canoe on the Mekong.
Asia Golden Triangle Lao ThreePlank Canoe Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
One of the guides said that this is a museum dedicated to the Mekong Catfish. It is still under contruction.
Asia Golden Triangle Laos Mekong Catfish Museum Mekong River Museums Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Siam Southeast Asia Thailand Transportation
Our captain.
Asia Golden Triangle Lao Slow Boat Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Lone monk on the shore of the Mekong.
Asia Buddhist Monk Golden Triangle Laos Mekong River Places Religion Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
An old Thai military patrol boat beached on the Thai side of the river.
Asia Golden Triangle Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Siam Southeast Asia Thai Military Boat Thailand Transportation
A Mekong slow boat being loaded with cargo. They slide the items down the planks to the boat.
Asia Cargo Golden Triangle Lao Slow Boat Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Things Transportation
Another Mekong cruise boat.
Asia Golden Triangle Lao Slow Boat Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Another Mekong cruise boat.
Asia Golden Triangle Lao Slow Boat Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Another Mekong cruise boat.
Asia Golden Triangle Lao Slow Boat Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
A slow boat delivering supplies to a village along the Mekong.
Asia Cargo Golden Triangle Lao Slow Boat Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Things Transportation
A barge serves as a speedboat stop.
Asia Barge Golden Triangle Lao Fast Boat Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
These locally made sppedboats are what you take if you're in a hurry. Their safety reputation is not so good!
Asia Golden Triangle Lao Fast Boat Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
A Moscovy Duck in the Mekong. Probably an escaped domestic duck, they are not native to SE Asia.
Animals Asia Ducks Golden Triangle Laos Mekong River Muscovy Duck Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Another slow boat carefully pulling into the shore to pick up passengers.
Asia Golden Triangle Lao Slow Boat Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Girls and women drying grasses to make brooms.
Asia Broom Brooms Golden Triangle Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Things Transportation
Girls and women drying grasses to make brooms.
Asia Broom Brooms Golden Triangle Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Things Transportation
Girls and women drying grasses to make brooms.
Asia Broom Brooms Golden Triangle Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Things Transportation
A large Mekong cargo boat makes its way up the river.
Asia Cargo Golden Triangle Lao Slow Boat Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Things Transportation
A banana plantation. Pretty much all commercial banana growers put plastic bags around the bunches to protect from pests and increase productivity.
Asia Banana Bananas Golden Triangle Laos Mekong River Places Plants and Vegetables Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
A car ferry, no dock required!
Asia Ferry Golden Triangle Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Speedboat headquarters.
Asia Golden Triangle Lao Fast Boat Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Men fishing from a traditional three-plank canoe.
Asia Fisherman Fishermen Golden Triangle Lao ThreePlank Canoe Laos Mekong River Places Professions Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Men tending their nets from a speedboat.
Asia Fisherman Fishermen Golden Triangle Lao Fast Boat Laos Mekong River Places Professions Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Boys on the shore.
Asia Boy Boys Child Children Golden Triangle Laos Mekong River People Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Boy with a casting net.
Asia Boy Boys Child Children Golden Triangle Laos Mekong River People Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
You're supposed to wear a helmet in a speedboat. Didn't see any life vests though!
Asia Golden Triangle Lao Fast Boat Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Woman with grasses for brooms waiting on the bank.
Asia Broom Brooms Golden Triangle Laos Mekong River People Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Things Transportation Woman Women
Happy kids on the bank of the Mekong.
Activities Asia Boy Boys Child Children Fishing Girl Girls Golden Triangle Laos Mekong River People Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Man in a three-plank canoe. You can see where it gets its name. One plank on the bottom, one on each side.
Asia Golden Triangle Lao ThreePlank Canoe Laos Man Mekong River Men People Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Men repairing a canoe below a village.
Asia Golden Triangle Lao People Lao ThreePlank Canoe Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Lone canoe.
Asia Golden Triangle Lao ThreePlank Canoe Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Water buffalo lounging on the bank of the Mekong.
Asia Golden Triangle Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Water buffalo lounging on the bank of the Mekong.
Asia Golden Triangle Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Young man in a small boat.
Asia Golden Triangle Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
We've stopped to visit a Hmong village. The Hmong people are an ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
Asia Golden Triangle Hmong People Hmong Village Lao Slow Boat Lao ThreePlank Canoe Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
A Hmong boy greets our boat.
Asia Boy Boys Child Children Golden Triangle Hmong People Hmong Village Lao ThreePlank Canoe Laos Mekong River People Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Up the hill we go.
Asia Golden Triangle Hmong People Hmong Village Lao ThreePlank Canoe Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
Looking down on our boat and across the Mekong.
Asia Golden Triangle Hmong People Hmong Village Lao Slow Boat Lao ThreePlank Canoe Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Transportation
A new toilet under construction.
Asia Golden Triangle Hmong People Hmong Village Lao ThreePlank Canoe Laos Mekong River Places Ships and Boats Shompoo Cruise Southeast Asia Squat Toilet Things Transportation

Powered by SmugMug