We had a late start with the boat as some tossers woke up late and the boat won’t leave until everyone’s on, lots of stunning backpackers. The thing about westerners is we are so focused on instant gratification, and when you travel this way you really get to slow down, you cannot throw a western tantrum and demand to start the boat, they would look at you as if you were quite mad, it is such a good lesson on stillness, inside and out, it takes TIME, while you are on the journey find joy, stretch sleep (on the floor) play cards, read, speak to others including the locals- hear their storey, broaden your mind watch how others live along the way. Amazing scenery- incredible settlements and people, so simple yet beautiful. I watched our sons accept the time and even though we got “when are we gonna get there?” a few times – guess who???
Bill personified his Buddha nature and was amazing no complaints, he went with the flow, Nicky was entertaining, irritating and then started sitting at the periphery of some young backpackers playing cards, next thing he was in playing and speaking with all these young people, he eventually got his dad and Bill to join the game, he has a knack that one - MR Personality.
We finally got to Luang Prabang late and tired beyond explanation, puffy ankles from no exercise, we found an expensive but stunning guest house and booked in – the hunt for the real one was the next morning’s mission. (Which made our French owner very grumpy – but hey that’s normal for the French) oh and mission accomplished next door stunning Laos people and rooms at half the price, clean – aircon, what more could a family want.That night it was the best exfoliation, shower, hair wash I have ever experienced, there is something quite spiritual in those first moments of being clean; you can face the world again!
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