Pai to Luang Prabang

mollyben98
Feb 9, 2018
3 min read

We booked the two-day slow boat to Laos a couple of days earlier for 1750B pp, which included minibus transfers, 2 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast one night. The minivan from Pai to Chiang Khong was pretty chilled (nowhere near as bad as people had said the route was) and we stopped at the White Temple in Chiang Rai on route, which was beautiful! Building was started in the 90s by a rich local who wanted to create a temple that reflected both heaven and hell, and those who belonged there. As you crossed the bridge to the temple there were arms reaching up from hell ready to drag you in as you cross the bridge - a guard would shout you across otherwise you’d get dragged in!

We got to the provided accommodation in Chiang Khong and ended up getting smashed on free tequila shots, playing pool and doing karaoke before passing out in the terrible accommodation.

The next day we all woke up still pretty hammered and got in the back of a truck to the Laos border. Tip: keep your departure card from the airport as you'll need it to leave Thailand! Filled in tonnes of paperwork then got a bus to the slow boat pier.

The slow boats are real basic, with car/bus seats which aren’t secured to the floor. We were on the boat for about 6 hours on the first day, beautiful views of the Mekong River and locals living along it. We had a few beers on route to soften the hangover - some drank a lot more than others!

We arrived in Pakbeng around 6ish and grouped together with a load of friends and headed to a guesthouse (pretty dirty but hot showers) for 50,000 kip which is about £4.50 between two of us. Went out for dinner at a ‘restaurant’ down the road then went to bed and crashed out for the night. Woke up early the next morning to secure good seats on the boat (we were at the back on the way, right in front of the incredibly loud engine) and stock up on supplies (beer, crisps, sandwiches & fruit) for the 7 hour journey to Luang Prabang.

We arrived at what we were told was the ferry port (10km from Luang Probang) and made to pay 20,000 each for a Tuk Tuk to the city. Got to Aham Backpackers (£4 pp pn), checked in then headed to the night market for some amazing street food (15,000 each) then Utopia for drinks. Next day woke up and went to the gym next to our hostel for 10,000 each then had some food and headed to the waterfall on one of the scariest journeys to date! The driver was off his head! The waterfall was beautiful though and we trekked to a secret section and had an incredible waterfall all to ourselves.

Went for street food again that night then out for drinks, ending up at the bowling alley (because all bars in Luang Probang close at 11:30) till 2am - smashed on a 50,000 kip bottle of vodka. The next day I got up and went to the gym next door then we went back to Utopia for brunch before heading to Villa Mayou to sit by the pool for the rest of the day. That night we ate at the number one restaurant on trip advisor, it did not disappoint! The best meal we’ve eaten all trip, hands down.