Day Two was entirely different.  It left me humbled and grateful.  Humbled at the local Laotians who sat on the floor of the boat for hours, not once complaining.  And grateful for what I have - the time and money to travel the world, a profession that I don’t just make money from but I actually enjoy and the sense of freedom - to be a solo woman, on the road, with no-one to hold me back and a credit card and stash of US dollars for emergencies…

If I’m honest, personally I’d have to say ‘yes’ to the boat ride. Despite all the difficulties, It was a great adventure.  It gave me the chance to see life along the Mekong river- a chance you simply don’t get if you fly or drive across Laos.  It was also a chance to ‘switch off’ from daily life because all I could do was read, nap, look at scenery, take photos on the boat and talk to other people. many people, like myself, engrossed in a good book…