Life on the Mekong

Two weeks ago I arrived to Laos! I decided to take the slow boat, a two day journey down the Mekong rive to the city of Laung Prabong. 

We stayed over night in a small village along the way. While all the tourist hurried off the boat to check into a guest house, I decided to walk down a smaller road and just ask if I could sleep at someone's house. A very nice Lao family invited me into their home. They fed me and provided me with a mat and blankets! I woke up the next morning and did some dishes and helped the girls get ready for school by putting makeup on. When I was leaving I tried to give them some money for my nights stay. They would not take my money, so I left the girls some clothe and headbands. 

This is a picture of the sunrise on the river. 

The haze is actually caused by all the farmers burning the forest. They use this slash and burn method all over Asia. It is becoming a growing problem for the environment and peoples health. Ages ago when they started this method it was okay because there were not as many people. But as the population grows so does the fire and smoke! 

Lao kids along the river bank: 

This picture is too perfect for words: 

My boat trip ended at a dock 2km outside of Laung Prabong. There was a steep climb up a large set of wonky stairs to the street. A small Lao lady was carrying a hudge load of food and bags. All the tourist and macho men hurried past her almost knocking her over. I decided to help her by taking one of her bags. At the top she thanked me then offered me a ride into town. On the way she asked me where I was staying. I told her I was just planning on walking around I until I found a place. She invited me to stay at her house. Only if I tought her and her daughter hula hoop tricks! I decided that was a good deal! 

I decided one day to bike 32km to these amazing waterfalls outside of town. 

There was a bear rescue center at the waterfall. 

I learned that the mother bears are being captured by people and kept in very small cages while they take bile from them. The bile is the sold to people in china and Vietnam and used in medicine. Many baby bears are dying because they cannot survive without their mothers. And the mothers are being treated very bad. This orginazation: free the bears. Has camps all over Asia. They rescue momma bears and help to find the babies as well. 

I decided to head north to some remote villages. 

This is Nong Khaiw. A small village along the Nam Om river. 

5 days ago I spontaneously hopped aboard a boat headed for an even more remote village called Mong Nogi. I spent a couple peacefull nights here. 

From there I walked 3 hours to the next village. I have no pictures of that because I left my bag and phone at the families house I stayed at in Mong Nogi. 

The people of Laos are very nice. They will take you into their homes and feed you papaya and Lao Lao (triditional rice whiskey). And give you a place to sleep for little to no money. 

Tomorrow I will head south to stay on a farm! I'm ready to get my hands dirty again! 

Stay tuned for more adventure!