Friday 27th Feb - Mekong River, Laos day 1

Friday 27th Feb - Mekong River, Laos day 1

What a weird day. I woke up 8 ish and grabbed a quick shower and a banana pancake from my guest house before trekking the short distance to the ferry port. The ticket was 25 USD and at first it didnt look as though there would be many people on the boat, I wondered if I should have bit the bullet and got the notorious speedboat but I didn't want to risk all my electronic stuff being lost to the depths of the Mekong river (actually it's quite shallow at the moment hence speedboats are a bit of a liability on the rocks!)

The slow boat was due to leave at 11.30am and shortly after this a whole load of english and various travellers rushed on board so it looked as though things were looking up. Soon got chatting to a bunch of them and basically the journey passed quite enjoyably and swiftly, drinking beer and getting to know the various nationalities. There were a couple of American girls from Seattle, a beautiful girl Erin who I got chatting to about american politics and my general lack of knowledge! - and her friend Serina and their dutch travelling companion of a couple of months, Jacob who was 6 foot and rather good looking. There were a couple of English guys whose lonely planet I kept nicking, as basically I have no information on this country which is out of character for me and makes me feel a bit insecure! As the day progressed I also got to know another dutch guy who I have aptly named 'durex' (at first due to the first pet plus mothers maiden name creating your porn name game) who quite possibly is one of the funnist people I have ever met. He has a whole wealth of hilarious and increduous stories centred around one subject about which he seems truly obsessed, I'm sure you can guess what... Other than that I was really happy to see the 2 friendly dutch guys Bas and David, who I had briefly met in Pai as they lived next door to me at the gorgeous huts over the bamboo river. Tom, a quiet but nice english guy from Wiltshire was also in the crowd and Jonathan, an essex sounding dude from Kent was was travelling. So all in all it was a good bunch, bar a few cringe-worthy moments where I felt a little like 'brits abroad' - the crowd as a whole were being quite loud and drinking and generally taking over the boat. Im aware of the kind of peception people have of young westerners on holiday and I wasn't over the moon to be fitting the stereotype - there is such a contrast to the locals or other asian tourist who sit quietly and unobtrusively. It was the same in the restaraunt where there was a near punch-up....! But they were trying to short change erin! Also they are not used to females standing up to men here.

Upon arriving at some random village for the night (Pak Ben), a whole load of us bunched together to find accomodation to get a better deal, and secured rooms for 150 baht which was a bit of a bargain but in random ways that only really happen when travelling I ended up in a room with 3 english lads, sharing a bed with Jonathan, and Jack and Tom squashed together on a mattress on the floor. It was very surreal as the village only had electricity for 3 hours each night and so when we rolled in at around 11 (things dont really go on much longer in Laos as we were to findout - there is midnight curfew) - in shock we realised that the rumours were indeed true and so we fumbled with lighters and torches to sort ourselves out! Pak Ben really is in the middle of nowhere, no ATM damn it! - and I think we were viewed as rich tourists to be scammed. I find the whole subject quite a difficult one though as being ripped off is a relative concept. When we had our meal we were short-changed but it is genuinely so confusing with the mixing of baht and kip. So far Laos hasnt really been what I was expecting but equally Im in with a crowd of people having a laugh and I will have a crowd to chill and hang out with in Luang Prabang. I have decided I am going to enjoy Laos and take it as it comes. If I catch up with my friends that'll be cool but if thats all I try and do Ill miss out on experiences along the way. I am already realising that 2 months is a ridiculously short amount of time to do 4 countries and in true Carla fashion I want it all and dont want to compromise by not doing certain things.

Best thing: Hanging out with old and new people
Worst thing: Feeling like a typical brit abroad and part of a scene occuring where we ate, were short-changed and where a fight nearly broke out.

Money spent: boat 25 USD pancakes (17.86) and water 80 baht (1.60), beer 40 baht (80p), accomodation 50 baht (1 pound), dinner 23,000 kip (1.84)
TOTAL: 23.10.