It is most definitely A Thing. You travel to South East Asia, the trip includes some time in Laos and to get from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai at the Thai border (or the other way round if you’re starting from Thailand), you take the 2-day slow boat journey on the Mekong river. As I was trying to travel light, I had the Lumix GX80 and small M43 lenses, 12-60mm and 25mm/1.8 Lumix and the Olympus 40-150mm
The travel logistics were straightforward as of summer 2023.
- go to one of the numerous kiosks, travel agents, your hostel, wherever and buy a two-day slow boat ticket. It cost 500,000 Lao Kip no matter where we asked (20GBP/24€)
- A tuk-tuk will pick you up early to take you to the pier which is a good bit out of town
- Ticket is stamped and you get on the boat
- There is an overnight stay in the small village of Pakbeng (separate post). You can book ahead for a comfortable room (18GBP for three) and get picked up at the pier or easily find a room on arrival.
- The hostel will drop you at the pier early and you arrive in Huay Xai around 6pm.
Some travel blogs have given more elaborate account of this journey – it was one of the easiest things I’ve done. I’ve had more issues finding parking space at Dublin airport.
Once on the boat (and sit towards the front away from the engine), you sit back, relax and keep an eye for a photo opportunity or two.
The boat is not only for tourists, but is a main mode of transport for people and goods along the river to isolated villages. There were several stops along the way.
In a few remote places, the boat attracted the attention of the local kids
And a few shots of the fellow travellers
Once you arrive in Huay Xai, you can stay there, get a tuktuk to the brder crossing into Thailand and stay in Chiang Khong for the morning buses, or get a shared taxi to Chiang Rai. Dead easy.
And I took a selfie. Just to prove I was there.
Late Developer 