Going to Laos

So, as I expected, my lack of planning has really been a blessing. I've decided to go to Laos on Thursday and take a two day float trip down the Mekong river. I booked a tour, so will be with at least 20 other people on the slow boat...A guy that I've met who's taking a year off to travel the world is going as well...he's from Liverpool and thus I can't understand a word he says, but he's been a fun and easy going traveling companion for the last day or so.

So - new itinerary: staying in Chiang Mai until Thursday. Tomorrow I am taking a one day trek...elephant rides, waterfall, bamboo rafting, hill tribes (such the classic American way - pack everything you can in in a day!). Thursday I leave in the morning from Chiang Mai. I take a bus up to Chiang Khong (the border crossing with Laos). I stay the night there, then leave the next morning to cross the Mekong and meet up with the slow boat. From there we float south, 7 hours per day for the next two days. The first night we stop in Pak Beng, and then second day we end up in Luang Prabang. The only other thing I know for sure is that I have a flight from BKK to Koh Samui on April 10, so I have to figure out how to get from Laos to Thailand in those two days. I usually work well with deadlines, so I'm hopeful that I'll make it!

Very excited to get to Laos. I've heard it's unbelievably beautiful and I cannot wait to be out of a city and into the wilderness. What sounds better on a hot day than foating a lazy river in Laos?!?!?! Such fun.

Much love -

Genevieve