The road from Chiang Mai, Thailand took us into the Golden Triangle region. The Golden Triangle is the region where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar all converge and are demarcated by the Mekong River. The area has an air of mystique as it is the place where a large portion of the world's heroin is cultivated. We didn't see anything suspicious though. Just beautiful country side that would have made some excellent biking. But alas, we had chosen the bus and if hurtled us over the kilometers and deposited us in Chiang Khong, the Thai town that is only notable for the fact that there is an entry point to Laos here. That being our purpose we crossed over into our fourth country of this trip, the Democratic People's Republic of Laos.

The reality of being in an unorganized country hit us as soon as we entered. We were planning to take a 2 day boat ride from the border to Luang Pragang. So we bought the ticket, loaded our stuff in and on the boat (see picture right) and sat in our seats. We waited patiently and just as the boat was scheduled to leave a young man entered the boat and informed all the passengers we had to buy insurance. Cumpulsory insurance. Since all of us had 15 day visa we were expected to buy the 15 day plan but since he was so nice we would be fine with the 3 day plan. This insurance, the form told us, covered us worldwide, for dental, surgery, and death (not lost luggage however), and only cost 25 cents a day. Sensing a scam the travelers, one by one, told the industrious young man, that no, they didn't need any such insurance thank you. He was insistent however and basically said the boat wouldn't move until everyone enrolled. Not having much of choice, and knowing it was only a few cents, all the travelers aquiecsed. A rude awakening after being in Thailand for month where everything regarding tourists is closely wateched over by the Tourist Police.

After everyone forked over their premiums (by the way there was no way to chose a beneficiary so sorry to all of those who thought you might cash in) we took off. The boat ride was really great. The Mekong, for years, has been the back bone of of civilization in South East Asia. It starts in China and winds through Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Riding on it you could sense the importance of it to the region. Villages dotted the shores, their only way to be in contact with others being the river.

We stopped after 5 hours the first day and stayed overnight in a small riverside town. Then it was back in the boat for 7 more hours the next day. After a grueling seven hours of trying to keep our butts comfortable on the wooden plank seats were were glad to arrive in Luang Prabang, the old royal city of Laos.