Following an early breakfast we have an opportunity to take in some of the temples and village scenes of this charming Thai town before crossing to the Laos side of the river for customs clearance.

By late morning we are underway aboard our chartered canopied boat for the long trip down river. Below us in the silted waters lurk the giant Mekong catfish - the world's largest fresh water fish.

We stop wherever we want - at an interesting little village, on a sandbar to play Thai/Lao games, sing songs, or enjoy a picnic -- before reaching the Laos trading town of Muang Pakbeng, our destination for the night.

Overnight accommodation beside the river at Luang Sai Resort, or Sarika Hotel.