Garnerbiker's Journey on planet Earth

This blog started as a trip journal for the summer of 2011 Europe trip of 69 days. My wife Katherine, and I decided to use the entire summer break that teachers get, and go crazy. Everything was new to us. I was surprised at the blog's following. It has now become a tradition to travel on our breaks and blog about it. I write mostly as a journal for myself and students, but also give travel ideas to others that might want to travel like us, or go to the places we have seen. Take a look at what's on here. The experiences that I have had through travel are continuously shaping my life. I recommend you get out there and do it!

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Saturday, July 7, 2012

Pakbeng to Luang Prabang

Today was filled with stunning views from the Mekong.

The night brought us tons of rain, but it stopped by the time the boat departed. We decided to eat breakfast downstairs and get sandwiches prepared for take away. The main street was active with others doing the same. It was great to see our friends at the meeting point. From there we headed down to the boat in hopes of getting a good seat. Water was careening down the steep boat launch and then down the same stairs we walked. Nice. That didn't really make boarding the boats very easy.

Unfortunately, we were in a boat with only benches and no large open area like we had the day before. It ended up working out since we were by our new friends and had a lot to talk about. The temperature on the boat was surely hot, but when the boat is moving, the breeze makes it quite nice.

Everywhere we go is an international mixture of people. When people are talking and the excitement is there, the passports always get taken out. People want to see where you have been and hear the stories you have to share. If you are polite and ask good questions about their travels, it could go on forever. I have seen passports thoroughly ruined from the weather and totally full of stamps, and I have seen people on their first trip to a new country. Surprisingly, most people are doing a great job at traveling. The total idiots tend to travel in large groups, while more intelligent travelers are solo or in a group of two or three.

As evening approached, the boat pulled into the beach and let us all off. We headed up the once again super steep boat launch. Our group of 5 (wait, I guess that we have achieved idiot status now!?) walked through the night market and headed to the guest house. At this point it started to rain, so we picked up the pace. Robert, the German likes to go in and out of guesthouses looking for the best deal, and we like to prearrange (most of the time) and go right there. Thomas and Anne followed us looking to see if our place had an extra room available. No luck for them, but the owner of our place directed them to his brother's guesthouse just past ours.

Funny conversations of the day:

 

(phrase the locals use)

Same, same, but different.

 

(confusion among us with locals, and among us at times)

Is it 15, or 50?

 

 

(Robert asking the waiter at Pakbeng)

Robert- "What's a happy shake? We want some."

Waiter- "It has ganja."

Robert- "?".... "Isn't that marijuana?"

Waiter- "Yes."

Robert- "Isn't that illegal?"

Waiter- Nods his head, "yes."

Robert- "umm. No thanks."

In a country where drug use can carry the death penalty, that's probably a bad idea.

 

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