Boatmen taking their boat through the rapids on Namtha (River Tha).
This is one of my earliest photos of the province, taken during a daytrip to some ethnic villages. The boats usually take three crew and up to 8 tourists, or about 12 local people. The driver sits at the rear controlling the engine and rudder, two crew upfront using a paddle and a pole to navigate the rapids.
I've now taken the long 2 day trip from Luang namtha town to Houay Xai on the Thai border at least 4 or 5 times, and never get tired of it, exhilirating experience. But soon it may end, there are plans in the pipeline to build a dam, somewhere south of Nale, for electricity generation.