She travels//: Huay Xai, Laos

We took a boat trip across the Mekong river to Huay Xai, Laos, a few days back. Despite lagging in development, compared to neighbouring Thailand, stuff in Huay Xai are surprisingly more expensive. A fruit shake costs approximately 30-35 baht in Huay Xai, and 15-20 baht in Chiang Khong. Strange. Wisa explained to us that it's because most stuff in Laos are imported--people are too poor and lack the infrastructure to produce their own goods.

We brought nothing back with us to Chiang Khong, save for two bags of Beer Lao and lots of dust coating our bodies.

We'll be going on a boat trip tomorrow morning with Dr Carl... to talk to some local fishermen and hear their stories about the Mekong giant catfish. Hopefully we won't be disappointed with our findings tomorrow. Our "Lao Kao" trip awaits...

At the Chiang Khong side of the Mekong river, awaiting our boat to bring us over to Huay Xai.

Lao customs...

The equivalent of our bubble tea stands... these beverage stands are everywhere in both Thailand and Laos. They sell everything from cha yen (icy cold Thai milk tea), ovaltine, milo, to fruit smoothies. We even saw a few selling milk tea with pearls... but i don't think it's gonna be as good as the ones in Singapore.