In Tbilisi, Georgia in July, sitting in a hostel, we had a chance encounter with a fellow traveler that led to recommendation that I embark on the Slow Boat through Laos. He described it as one of the top Southeast Asian experiences. Six months later, we were in Huay Xai, preparing to set-off on a two-day journey down the Mekong River.

Huay Xai is a small town, primarily a border town, serving as the jumping-off point for the Slow Boat. Everywhere we looked, vendors were selling to-go sandwiches to the travelers readying themselves for the journey ahead.


The first day on the Slow Boat was a leisurely seven hours, during which we passed the time reading, taking in the scenery, and the occasional nap on the old van seats in the boat. We made a stop in Prakbeng, an unassuming town having the good fortune of being the halfway point on the Slow Boat route.


The second day was much the same as the first, a delightful continuation of the journey. The Slow Boat through Laos, as we would come to discover, was a true Paul Theroux-style adventure, offering a slow, immersive journey through a landscape and culture that one could never fully appreciate at a faster pace.


Reading:

  • Kyle: Assorted Essays by Paul Graham
  • Kelsey: The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel


Listening To: