Entering at night on a small fishing boat from Cambodia, into the 4000 islands region of the Mekong delta, really gave me a “where the fuck am I” feeling. No roads, lots of steamy jungle, no English and a completely different vibe with the locals. The mighty Mekong rushing along in flood is awe inspiring. Shit Google Maps information as well meant I was seriously unprepared until I’d had a good shufty at someone’s map.
The locals fish here in the floodwaters and the first time I saw them I just thought…. ‘FUCK ME!!!!!!!’ You’ll see why now.
I travelled around Don Khon island on my trusty moped for a few days, trying to get a feel for the nomadic fishing villagers life.
A few glimpses of Dao Buddhism and the rice paddies (precious few as the island is quite small, and I was still finding my feet. It was also fucking hot!
Next stop was Pakse, second largest city in Laos and ‘gateway’ to the south. I was of course heading further north, so a boat-ride up to the bus and an extraordinarily bumpy six hours, a flat tyre, no jack and much hilarity. The BEST bottle shop selling real quality French wines, from someone’s front room. Her killing mosquitos and him preparing food all at the same time. Soap opera, Laos-stylee
They kindly opened the wine for me as well
Of course the real reason for stopping here was to hire a motorbike and go touring on the Bolaven plateau for a few days. By sheer chance I met a really nice Korean geezer who put me on to decent a navigation app (Galileo) and I’m now sorted on that front. Thank God!
Local handicrafts include weaving, basket-making and blacksmithing.
Coffee plantations, waterfalls and plenty of villages to explore.
Some of the ethnic village kids (I was with the Katu people) here start smoking when they’re about 4!!!!! Bongs for the adults!
Last but not least a quick afternoon visit to Don Kho island. A great little community and lots of weavers and rice paddies.
A twilight chuff back on the boat as the bike goes back and I’m off to Thakek, on the night bus, for another exploration…..
new horizons 