Mekong River day 2

We stayed the night in a TINY place called Pak Beng which is the stopping off point for all slow boats (took us 9 hours to get there!) it was poring with rain, but luckily already had our accommodation sorted!  Had one small main street but very friendly locals.  Literally ate dinner then went to bed.  Woke up next day to pouring rain again and it did not let up, at all!  Afraid this post is more of the same photos, as everyone here says….’same same, but different’ (bit like NZ ‘yes yes yes yes yes…..no’

         

The Mekong is the world's 12th-longest river at 2,600 miles. It is the largest river in Southeast Asia.  The Mekong River Basin is almost the size of France and Germany put together.  It would take 48 hours of driving at roughly 62 MPH to drive the same distance as the length of the Mekong River.

Please note Andre’s packed lunch!

         

         

      

Much of the Mekong remains undeveloped and even unexplored. It is closely tied to the daily lives and culture of over 60 million people—people who depend on it for transportation as well as for water for cooking, irrigation, cleaning, and sanitation. For these 60 million—many of whom live in poverty—the fish and other resources in the river account for most of the protein in their diets and for their survival. However, life along the river is changing, as China has already constructed large dams on the river with plans for many more.

        

    

Finally after another 9 hours we arrive in Huay Xai, North East of Laos.