I'm on a Boat! (from Laos to Thailand)

By the time you read this pre-programmed post, I will hopefully be deep into day two of a two-day long boat trip up the Mekong River to the Thai border.

I have heard both wonderful and bonkers reports of this journey, so I have very little idea of what to expect.

I do know that I'm supposed to bring water to drink, that my rump will hurt from sitting on the hard planks, that we stop off for one night on a random tiny river island, and that the end destination will be the Thai border, from which I must take a truck three hours to my desired mountain destination.

Now, how glorious that on my last morning (for now) in lovely Luang Prabang, Laos, the early boat time forced me to arise early enough to see the monks on their way to study and worship!

In the misty dawn light, Laotians knelt on the sidewalk and offered their daily rice and cakes to the orange-clad holy men and boys.

Tourists gazed on in wonder, sometimes snapping a covert photo or two, though being careful (as we'd been warned) not to use flash.

One Australian woman was placing chunks of unwrapped chocolate in the monks' offering jars. This could either be delicious, sacrilegious, or rather strange-tasting when mixed with the rice.

Off to the boat I go! Hugs to all and keep on reading and commenting!