Slow Boat to Team Laos

I took the two day slow boat from Huay Xai down to quaint Luang Prabang. And here was the creation of Team Laos, an international group of English, American, Finish, French Canadian, South African, Australian, Chilean... The scenery was dramatic, not at all what I was expecting, and so it was just lovely to sit and gaze out of the boat as we passed mountains and villages. There were a few hairy moments as we sailed over rocky shallow waters. Beer Laos and Lao Lao whiskey warmed us all on the second day of the journey as the skies clouded over and the wind blasted us but my woolly Pushkar blanket kept me snug. We made regular pitstops to pick up Laos villagers en route who loaded up with boat with veg and stacks of tasty pumpkin to which Team Laos got particularly attached.

View from the slow boat along the Mekong

We docked in Luang Prabang and miraculously found accommo for Team Laos then off we went out for food and Lao Lao cocktails. My first traditional meal in Laos was the special festival food of water buffalo laap with sticky rice. A unique combination of flavours including mint, coriander, chili and lime...and probably a few more indecipherable herbs and spices and condiments thrown in there as well.

Day two and a few of us girls roamed Luang Prabang by bicycle tackling a bamboo bridge river crossing where we had to carry our super cute bicycle down lots of steps, then found out we had to pay a small Kip fee as we got to the bottom of the steps, then across we ambled, and of course more carrying of bicycles on the other side. Phew! A noodle soup stop was of course mandatory after all of these easy breezy cycling about town.

Crossing the precarious bamboo bridge!

The night market held tasty mounds of veggie food and barbequed meats and fish to satisfy all palates. Pile your plate high choosing from tofu, fried morning glory, pumpkin, salads, an array of vegetables, all different genres of noodles and rice. Once you've made your selection it gets woked up with your desired level of chilis and is ready to eat, all for a bargainous 10,000 Kip.

A bit of a blurry shot of my favourite stall at the night market with the smiliest cook around. Such a delish feast!