Vat Phou Boat was built at the beginning of the century, in order to transport downriver the extremely valuable “tek”, construction and decoration wood, mostly resistant and refined, but that was not its destiny, because fate does not exist, the boat was doomed not to transport tek but rather being wainscoted with it.
Nowadays it appears like a shining two storey building shaped as a box which at first sight does not give an exact glance of where stem and stern are, but what is lost in the squat shape is gained in the elegance of colors and the finishing touches. The stern deck is an enormous lounge equipped with soft pillows and sofas, spread randomly in such a perfect shape to look like it is planned. We enjoy navigation that rather sound more like being transported by the stream, in such a fluid and relaxing way.
The stem deck is instead smaller, as much stylish, but more lively. It’s the place where breakfast is served in the morning and lunch at noon, a little tribe gather here, we are just nine, equally divided into “yellow men” and “white men”. The Mekong and the luxury boat do not just attract western people, while travelling at these latitudes I realize the whole Asia is on the move, from Hong Kong to Singapore, from Thailand and Laos itself you find travelers with backpack, just like us, searching for typical and authentic places. Navigation stops every now and them in order to let passengers get off and putting them in contact with villages on the river.
Ban Deua Tia is one of the most characteristic, men fix fishing nets and the giant creels for fishing catfish, women take care of rice fields where water gradually subsides, and children play if they are not in school. This predetermined order is broken by many other daily activities, among which the main one, weaving colorful mats, involves several family generations. Contacts with these people are easy, you can pass from a smile to a glance, few words, but soon you find yourself sitting close sharing an activity, a moment, trying to practice weaving or fruits and vegetables decorations as we do with the women of the boat crew.
The afternoon streams in calm navigation, the Mekong broadens out and narrows and the boat goes along the villages port and starboard, children scream and great us from both banks. It is always a special moment when evening comes as colors gradually change tones and for the arrival, tonight, to the ruins of Oum Mong temple. It is a site heritage of UNESCO where, half buried by the tropical moss, lies this one thousand years old templar complex, built by that brilliant civilization of Khmer; living in these areas of Laos even before they reached their best in Cambodia, where you can still admire the masterpiece of Angkor Bath.
Reaching the ruins at sunset, after having walked for a good quarter of an hour in the jungle, is really exciting.I regret the guide spared us the surprise of avoiding speaking about the temple; announcing the arrival in advance, because if it had appeared from nowhere, I would not feel as a new Indiana Jones, but I would certainly have a heart stroke.
Blocks of granite are not titanic but surely required a great effort in order to be transported and skimming them under the fingers, feeling their folds, appreciating their old age as we would with a grandfather’s wrinkles, is definitely special. Light is soft thanks to the flourishing vegetation and slowly leaves us when on the way back, on the river side, twilight appears. Shadow games offer magical perspectives and, just because it’s games, children are the best players.
I could be like this, huddled under this giant tree, for hours, seeing children playing, running; splashing between the river bend and the boat, the sun wishing good night to Mekong while it sets behind Thai hills.
Kindly Traslated by “Alessandra Angius”
Day 1 – Day 2 – Day 3 – Day 4 – Day 5 – Day 6 – Day 7
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This trip is the 3rd Prize of the Mynatour Contest. Mario has been voted the 3rd winner of the last Mynatour Ecotourism Contest sponsored by Teamworkz – Laos part of whl.travel.
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