Day 70 (08/06/08): Don Det, Laos
It was with a touch of sadness that I had to leave Tadlo, it was such a beautiful and relaxing place. I met Lou and Charlie for breakfast, and we caught a tuk-tuk back to the main road. We had to wait there for a little while before the local bus came past. Once again we went back to the 'Pakse Southern Bus Terminal' and were greeted by numerous people wanting to know where we were going. Eventually we figured out what to do, and found our way onto the back of a very crowded truck. Unfortunately we were the last on, and so were squeezed into the back. I had a sack of something at my feet, and so couldn't even put my feet down. A number of local Lao guys where hanging off the back, one of whom spoke good english and spent a lot of time fascinated with my blonde leg hair, which he constantly touched (much to Charlie's amusement). Three very sore hours later, we arrived at our destination stiff, sore and very dusty.
Siphandon, otherwise known as the Four Thousand Islands, is in the very south of Laos, near the Cambodian border. The Mekong river has been gathering water and momentum since starting in China, and by now it is a very large river. At Siphandon the river breaks into a large delta, spreading across the flat land, forming numerous small islands. Some of the islands are quite large and support habitation, others are just tiny small outcroppings poking up above the river. We had picked the small island of Don Det as our destination, which was a quick boat ride from the mainland. Don Det is a wonderfully laid back place, just a small collection of guesthouses, eateries and paddy fields. The island has no mains power, and just runs a few generators in the evening. Like Tadlo, it is a brilliant little quiet spot to relax and just chill out. After a much needed meal, we found a nice guesthouse. I got a little bamboo hut right on the river, complete with small deck and hammock, all for the princely sum of $2NZ a night. Fantastic.
It was with a touch of sadness that I had to leave Tadlo, it was such a beautiful and relaxing place. I met Lou and Charlie for breakfast, and we caught a tuk-tuk back to the main road. We had to wait there for a little while before the local bus came past. Once again we went back to the 'Pakse Southern Bus Terminal' and were greeted by numerous people wanting to know where we were going. Eventually we figured out what to do, and found our way onto the back of a very crowded truck. Unfortunately we were the last on, and so were squeezed into the back. I had a sack of something at my feet, and so couldn't even put my feet down. A number of local Lao guys where hanging off the back, one of whom spoke good english and spent a lot of time fascinated with my blonde leg hair, which he constantly touched (much to Charlie's amusement). Three very sore hours later, we arrived at our destination stiff, sore and very dusty.
Siphandon, otherwise known as the Four Thousand Islands, is in the very south of Laos, near the Cambodian border. The Mekong river has been gathering water and momentum since starting in China, and by now it is a very large river. At Siphandon the river breaks into a large delta, spreading across the flat land, forming numerous small islands. Some of the islands are quite large and support habitation, others are just tiny small outcroppings poking up above the river. We had picked the small island of Don Det as our destination, which was a quick boat ride from the mainland. Don Det is a wonderfully laid back place, just a small collection of guesthouses, eateries and paddy fields. The island has no mains power, and just runs a few generators in the evening. Like Tadlo, it is a brilliant little quiet spot to relax and just chill out. After a much needed meal, we found a nice guesthouse. I got a little bamboo hut right on the river, complete with small deck and hammock, all for the princely sum of $2NZ a night. Fantastic.
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