3 Downriver Photo Gallery by Cathryn at pbase.com

1 Luang Prabang | 2 Upriver | 3 Downriver

3 Downriver

The downriver journey followed the same pattern as upriver: from Phongsali to Muang Khua on the first day; from Muang Khua to Nong Khiaw on the second day; then (after a day in Nong Khiaw) downriver to Luang Prabang.
Because of its remote location, getting away from Phongsali is not easy. Flights to/from Vientiane have been discontinued, and the alternatives are returning by boat or catching a bus to Oudomxai (Muang Xai; 11 hours) or Luang Prabang. Long-distance Lao bus journeys can be very uncomfortable so returning by boat was much more appealing.
Phongsali would be a good place to spend an extra day to break up your riverboat travel. I thought of it but had already arranged to spend my extra day at Nong Khiaw, so back I went downriver after only one night.

Phongsali, the most remote major town in Laos	Market, Phongsali, where I went for breakfast	Market, Phongsali	Market, Phongsali	Market, Phongsali
Market, Phongsali	House near market, Phongsali	Sawngthiew from Phongsali to Hat Sa - looking back	Goodbye to Hat Sa	Heading downriver
River scenery	Fast boat roars upstream	River scenery	Boatman (centre) haggling over fish	... big fish
Protracted negotiations	Weighing the fish	At last, money changes hands	Nearby village	Family on river
River scenery	Work party	River scenery	Moored boat	River scenery
Fast boat roars out of my picture	Tatty boat	Little girl protesting at having her hair washed, Muang Khua	Hotel Sernnaly, Muang Khua	View from Hotel Sernnaly
Anonymous cafe, Muang Khua	Muang Khua to Nong Khiaw (aka Muang Ngoi)	Main street, Muang Khua, early in morning	Grandma's heart starter, 8 a.m., Muang Khua	Colourful girl, Muang Khua
Intrepid traveller ready for adventure	Boat landing, early morning, Muang Khua	Goodbye to Muang Khua	A crowded boat	At least I'm comfortable!
Looking back as we head downriver	Riverbank scene	River scenery	Lone boatman	River scenery
River scenery	River scenery	Bovine bliss - water buffalo on riverbank	River scenery	River scenery
River scenery	Paddling furiously	Riverbank	River scenery	Three Lao in a boat
Muang Ngoi, where most passengers left the boat	Fish out of water	Moored boats	Sandy bank where we stopped briefly	Tourists in privately chartered boat
Longtail boats moored	River scenery	Ready for anything	Blissful boating	Sunset Guesthouse, Nong Khiaw (centre)
View from balcony, Sunset Guesthouse	Not enjoying my first experience of a hammock	View from guesthouse with morning clouds	House, Nong Khiaw	Street, Nong Khiaw
House, Nong Khiaw	View, Nong Khiaw	Buddhist temple - Wat Sop Houn, Nong Khiaw	Interior, Wat Sop Houn	Door, Wat Sop Houn
Relaxed Lao, Nong Khiaw	Nong Khiaw (aka Muang Ngoi) to Luang Prabang	Waiting for the boat to leave	Monk grabs paddle to help boatman manoevre	Karst formation with cave
Canoe on river	Heading downstream	Moored longtail boats	River scenery	River scenery
Rapids	River scenery	River traffic	An awkward perch	Heading for rapids
Cruising downriver	A toilet stop	Boatman's wife	River scenery	Tired worker resting on riverbank
Water babies	Boat powers past	Plume of smoke	Small boat	Colourful family
Longtail boat full of tourists	Powering downriver	Solo boatman	Our last rest stop	Monks and their robes drying
Longtail boat going upstream (with drop of water on lens)	Monk disembarks near temple	Almost there - sunset over the Mekong, Luang Prabang	Villa Chitdara, my last guesthouse	Farewell to Luang Prabang (from aircraft)

comment |

barbarajoy		13-Dec-2013 10:01
I enjoyed this gallery and the journey. Some lovely photos.

click on thumbnails for full image

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