A Day on the Mekong

Luang Prabang is a charming and picturesque town that sits on a peninsula between the Khan River and the famous Mekong River. Growing up during the Vietnam war, we heard a lot about the Mekong, and we were curious to explore a few miles of this great tributary. My travel agent (George) selected a well reviewed company which offers a day trip up and down the river on a long, wide, and flat boat. Lunch (very important) and 2 popular ( but really ho-hum) tourist stops were part of the tour. Mostly we enjoyed cruising along the river.

The Mekong is the world’s twelfth longest river and it’s about 2,700 miles long. It flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. People living along and on the river farm, fish, and raise cattle.

The Mekong is the world’s twelfth longest river and it’s about 2,700 miles long. It flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. People living along and on the river farm, fish, and raise cattle.

Master and Commander.

Master and Commander.

Here is the real captain and his first mate. Note the statues of Buddha and a curvy deity on the dash.

Here is the real captain and his first mate. Note the statues of Buddha and a curvy deity on the dash.

Typical long house boats on the river. People live on their boats, fishing, farming in the rich soil of the river banks, and traveling up and down the river.

Typical long house boats on the river. People live on their boats, fishing, farming in the rich soil of the river banks, and traveling up and down the river.

There are 2 stops on most of the day tours. One stop is the Pak Ou Caves, famous for the hundreds, possibly thousands, of small Buddha statues. Over the years, in devotion to Buddhism, Laotians bring their old and damaged Buddha statues to the cave …

There are 2 stops on most of the day tours. One stop is the Pak Ou Caves, famous for the hundreds, possibly thousands, of small Buddha statues. Over the years, in devotion to Buddhism, Laotians bring their old and damaged Buddha statues to the cave instead of disrespectfully throwing them away.

There are two caves. To get to the upper one means climbing a lot of steps. The walk is steep, but shaded with beautiful views of the river.

There are two caves. To get to the upper one means climbing a lot of steps. The walk is steep, but shaded with beautiful views of the river.

Buddhas in the lower cave.

Buddhas in the lower cave.

More Buddhas. The different faces and poses of Buddha all have meaning,

More Buddhas. The different faces and poses of Buddha all have meaning,

The other stop on the tour is the Whiskey Village. Moonshine village would be a better name. This is the welcoming booth where a lady sells the locally distilled moonshine as well as pickled snakes and scorpions.

The other stop on the tour is the Whiskey Village. Moonshine village would be a better name. This is the welcoming booth where a lady sells the locally distilled moonshine as well as pickled snakes and scorpions.

Every village has a wat, some more prosperous than others. This tourist stop village seems to do pretty well.

Every village has a wat, some more prosperous than others. This tourist stop village seems to do pretty well.

There were several textile vendors with a surprisingly nice selection. I picked up some embroidered pieces.Mostly this was an enjoyable and relaxing day of tourism.

There were several textile vendors with a surprisingly nice selection. I picked up some embroidered pieces.

Mostly this was an enjoyable and relaxing day of tourism.