I took a boat back to Luang Prabang from Nong Khiew on the Nam Ou river which connects to the Mekong in Luang Prabang. Very close to the water and no cushions, my butt took a real beating for 4 hours but it again was worth the pain. All the rivers here are brick red in color, very turbulent, to the point where the current will actually make waves, about 18" in height, going in the opposite direction of the flow.

The views from my guesthouse balcony, $4.50 US per night, were astounding. The clouds would hoover just below the peaks of the mountain and created an incredible scene. Just as serene a setting as can be found on any deserted tropical island. Mornings and evenings were very comfortable so I didn't need AC.

This cave in Nong Khiew was used in the 60's as a bomb shelter when, you know who, was using blanket bombs. The cave was very large at least 10,000 sq.ft with several compartments. It housed the governor and his cabinet and many of the town people. I sat here for quite some time cooling off with a couple I met here. The walk was about 5km from town but the views were worth the exertion and sweat, lots of that.

Rice paddies, corn, papayas, bananas and so many varieties of butterflies, some as large as sparrows, humming birds and not many foreigners. Simple peace and quiet.

Nong Khiew, Laos is a very small village and has some of the most picturesque scenery I've seen anywhere in SE Asia. The village is 2.5 hours north of Luang Prabang.

Don Det's fuel stations, all three of them, provide the fuel for the generators for electricity, boat motors and the few motorbikes that are on the island. There are no cars and consequently the "roads" are very narrow and are simply compacted dirt or mud depending on the rain fall. The Mekong will rise to the bottom step just below the gas pump.

Mekong River

The Mekong river is amazing. I'm told it will rise at least another 4 to 6 feet by the end of the rainy season in September. That tree is about 30 feet tall.