day 29 ............ mingling with the hill tribes

heading out on our ferry up the Mekong river

our tour guide plus two

arriving at pak ou cave

stairs up into cave

7000 buddhas and a couple dozen bats awaited our arrival

view out to the Mekong

3 hours later we arrive at kamu lodge

boutique tents... as rough as we get

heading to lunch

and shoveling it down

napping through the last hours of 20 something

finally nightfall arrives

as do ALL the bugs

and a little birthday "cake" too

day 28 ....... the deliverance

suiting up for our adventure down river

utterly exhausted... guess who did all the rowing

the locals watched with mixed emotions

...SOME boats no lights or motor cars, not a single luxury

unfolding our lunch

by far the best food in all of laos... biodegradable to boot

the children danced for rain and rain it did.

day 27 ....... blue lagoon

biking over the nam kham river to catch a tuk

a view back

base of the kuang si falls

hiking to the upper terrace

smaller pools at the base of falls... lush greens and vivid blues

at the water's edge

rinsing off before the decent back down

back along Mekong river

with sunset views

night falls on our bridge over the nam kham

goodbye chiang mai...... hello luang prabang, laos

chiang mai, ban kong rao guesthouse, $19 US a night

so long thailand... sniff sniff

800 entry forms and a happy meal for liftoff

yeah I was praying too... praying this jalopy could fly

my god it's a miracle! chiang mai from 2000 ft

welcome to aviation circa 1945

le bel airs guesthouse, luang prabang, $39 US a night

beers and squid to celebrate a safe arrival