Entry into Laos:slow boat to luang prabang (Jan 5-7, Day 24-26)

The moment i stepped into laos, everything is different from Chiang Mai. The most obvious is the cost of everything here. Checked into Friendship GH (40k Kip $7.20) which was the cheapest i could find. Internet is 15k kip ($2.80) per hour compared to 10B ($0.40). Had initially planned to join the gibbon experience where i will zip line in the jungle and live in tree house, however the cost ($325 for 3d2n) stopped me in the end. It is however a good activity to do, not forgetting that the money will go towards preserving the forest.

Welcome to laos!
View of the mekong from my GH, thailand on the opposite bank
The quiet streets of Houay Xia

The very next day, i went to the pier to catch a 2-day slow boat to Luang Prabang (900B$38). I had known prior that it is extremely touristy and the price is outrageous because of it. Little did i expect that 99% of the passenger on it were foreigners (westerners)
Slow boats landing
I boarded half an hour before departure and was glad to see this
10mins past departure, this is what i saw...
To maximize profits, they made the wooden bench extremely small and uncomfortable
50 mins later, we are off!
Fisherman
Little owner of the boat
Small villages on the way
Kids waving to us
Like all westerners, they practically turned the boat into a mini pub. Estimated: 100 people on the boat.
Another option is to take a speed boat which is expensive and dangerous
The sky grew from this...
..to this..
Just at night fall, we arrive at Pak Beng. Our stop for the night. Greeted by many touts for GH.

I knew that to find a better and cheaper GH i would have to walk further away from the pier. So i managed to hunt down 1 for 100B after bargaining. And the room wasnt too bad. I had a double bed all to myself.
My 100B ($3.80) GH
Dinner at funky place
The heater in the GH uses a working fire in it. Gas is much more available than electricity there
Little owner of GH
Peaceful streets of Pak Beng
My first sight of baguette (10k kip $1.80). You can find it anywhere in laos
The next morning, it is another 9hours on the boat again. Bring a book or mp3, it really helps
Many beautiful sights along the way
As well as many vendors selling handicrafts
2 days into Laos, i arrive in Luang Prabang! Overall, the slow boat is an interesting thing to do if you can stand being cramped in an uncomfortable seat and being surrounded by drinking westerners. The views along the way are much better sights to see.