Entering into Laos at Hauy Xai we were immediately welcomed with a doubling of taxi fares and a lack of negotiating power (they really don’t seem to care about getting your business). A quiet but otherwise lovely riverside town, we spent the evening watching the sun set over the Mekong (hello again you!).
An early morning bus to the trekking town of Luang Namtha eventually materialised as a late afternoon minivan but we still arrived in time to get a room and book for a trip the following morning. The next day was spent climbing the humid jungle hillsides before we overnighted in a local village (albeit segregated off in our own little “eco-lodge” compound). The second day consisted of Jess & I learning to co-ordinate our skills in our little kayak as we paddled down the Nam Tha river. We made it without falling out too often.. sort of.
Heavy rainclouds swept in as we finished up the kayaking and so it seemed like a good idea to book ourselves a bus south before the rains hit. Heading along the national “highway” to Nong Khiaw we had a couple of breakdowns including losing our spare tire after hitting a rather large pothole – but the driver calmly pulled over, walked back, retrieved the tire and calmly put it back in place. Despite filling his shoes with mud he didn’t seemed too perturbed by the whole event.
Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi are two little riverside towns set in a truly beautiful setting.. jungle clad limestone karst mountains, surrounded by swirling clouds and mist with a river snaking it’s way in between.. perfect location to kick back in a hammock and waste a few days. Which is exactly what we did! Eventually though even we got a little tired of the relaxation and it was time to leave our paradise for Luang Prabang.
We’ve spent the past few days sampling the culinary delights, visiting more temples and even riding out to see the blue mineral waters of the Kuang Xi waterfalls. We could probably spend a few extra days here just eating, but being a tourist town the prices are a little steep and it’s time to move on again.
