1 December 2014. Across the Mekong

This morning I was determined to crack the matter of crossing the river from Luang Prabang. It should be easy but the other day all I seemed to come across were shady characters trying to talk me into a major private cruise. I set off with new resolve and armed with the incredibly useful hobomaps of where I was going (http://www.hobomaps.com/ChomphetHikeMap.html)

On the way to where the ferry is meant to depart, I passed through the market and continue to be amazed at the fresh meat and fish sitting sweating in the heat. No EU Regs here!

Then, easy as easy, I spot the roadway leading down to a ferry carrying vehicles as well as foot passengers. 10000 kip and job done. I'm the other side.

It is another world. Mainly dirt roads and clearly not deriving much benefit from the tourist dollar. Without describing every step of the way, I started off on a track that ran parallel with the river and had a Wat every 500 metres or so. I visited the first two. both were beautiful. Very simple and understated. I dipped out on the third as I had become part of a small group of tourists making our unofficial Wat tour and I thought it would be nice not to spend the day the the wake of other people.

The fourth amd final Wat represented the end of the path, as I could follow it. Leading on from this Wat was a much less public looking path that took me to some tombs. They were quite spookiy, sitting timelessly in the hillside.

It wasn't obvious how to go forwards from here; and so I went backwards - to the fourth Wat. Then I took a path inland for about a kilometre of varied countryside before coming to my fifth Wat and joining up with an expected (from Hobomaps) dirt road.

 This road afforded some splendid views and eventually led back to the ferry pier. The ferry was making its way over and I could not have waited more than five minutes, time fully occupied looking at a trio of happy ducks..

All told, I was about four hours on a glorious day with gorgeous vistas. I found myself thinking 'this beats the Dordogne'.

The return ferry was half the price of the outgoing one, so that original 80p fare had clearly been a racket!

Back in LP, I went round the the Vietnam Embassy and picked up my passport, visa issued. So all is decided now - and booked. I'm looking forward to revisiting Hanoi, which seems like a hotbed of fevered efficiency after dear laid back Laos.

I took some pictures of my room and the view from the balcony once I was back as the view looked particularly good this afternoon.