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Cruise on the Mekong to Pakbeng

Cruise from Ban Houayxay to Pakbeng

Petr Liška
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Cruise on the Mekong to Pakbeng
Inserted: 18.02.2018
© gigaplaces.com
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The first day of a two-day trip around the Mekong awaits you about 150 km to the town of Pakbeng. Even today, you will see the original life on the banks of the Mekong, thanks to the fact that most of these villages can still be reached only by water. Don't forget to take warmer clothes on the boat, because when it pulls and blows, it will be nice for you even in 20 degrees.

Beginning of the Mekong voyage

Tiring waiting for the ship to fill up and the voyage to begin

The meeting in front of the hotel is around 9, but departure from the port is announced until 10:30. The ship is gradually filling up to almost 80 tourists, which is beginning to smell of a really mass event. It's still waiting and no one knows why. After an hour of waiting, it is clear. Another trip arrived with an incredible 50 people! We're already here like sardines and a skilled captain pulls a pile of folding squirrels into the alley. I'm beginning to understand why it's so cheap. At half past two we finally bounce off the shore.

The banks of the Mekong

Around the river is very picturesque. According to the smoothed rocks, it looks like there are even a few meters more water when the rainy season.

The banks of the Mekong
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Rocks sticking out of the river

The views from the boat are great. Lots of black rocks look out of the surface. Around us are green hills covered with jungle.

Rocks sticking out of the river
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

The wild bank of the Mekong River

In some places, the river bank is completely impenetrable

The wild bank of the Mekong River
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Felled original forest

However, when there is a hut somewhere on the slope, the forest around it is cleared at least to a football stadium. These are sometimes quite sad prospects

Felled original forest
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Mekong beaches

There are often beautiful sandy beaches on the shore, where the only holidaymakers are relaxing black water buffaloes and brown cows standing around. They're probably not bad at all.

Mekong beaches
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Romance in the Mekong

Some solitudes seem like a seat for Robinson

Romance in the Mekong
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Villages along the Mekong

The villages are after half an hour of sailing.

Villages along the Mekong
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Life in the Mekong

In some villages it stops for locals. We are such a water taxi.

Life in the Mekong
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Supplying a larger town

Transhipment of goods imported by water

Supplying a larger town
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Loading and unloading of goods

Virtually the entire Mekong Valley in this area is cut off from road traffic, with only a few places you can reach the river on a dirt road.

Loading and unloading of goods
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Fishing nets

There are a lot of nets and bamboo rods in the cliffs. Sometimes we maneuver through smaller rapids, when the boat starts off on a slide.

Fishing nets
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Life by the river

Children are paddling in the water, fishermen cross the river in canoes. Life flows at a free pace here

Life by the river
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Constant views

There is still something to look at, but the winter is killing us a lot. With the number of beers drunk by the participants of the tour, the queue for a single toilet on the ship is extended in direct proportion. So the wait stretches for more than twenty minutes. Especially people who went to the toilet at the last minute look quite unhappy and their nervous stamping is not only caused by the cold.

Constant views
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Pakbeng

After 6.5 hours we arrive in Pakbeng, where the inhabitants compete to find out who will accommodate you

Pakbeng
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com
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Petr Liška
17.02.2018 20:33
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