Pak Beng to Luang Prabang 11/10/2019

To ensure we’d make our scheduled two stops and get to Luang Prabang before sunset we pushed off at 07:00. Morning was spent cruising down river; passing gold panners, a riverside market on boats, past other vessels- puttering in both directions- and navigating shallow areas- so shallow that they appeared to be minor rapids. The low water level could easily be reckoned by observing “tide lines” marked on the riverbank rock outcrops.

Not long after lunch we reached the Pak Ou caves, our first stop, on the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers, for a short visit. Then it was onto Ban Xang Hai (aka Lao Lao Whiskey Village), to see how the local brew was made and a walk around. The village is more prosperous than most other river villages, because of its proximity to Luang Prabang and whiskey production. After half an hour we shoved off again for the one hour trip to arrive in Luang Prabang at 16:00.