The little guy like fire |
Lunch |
Moths |
The easy way is on the right |
"Savadee" |
Camp3 |
I load the boat same as the first day and it feels more stable. First two rapids I stay dry. Third I scout and can see only one of the three choices. It is not bad. I am back to reading the river as I run the rapids. Soon I am at the confluence with the nam Khang. I am not sure if the river doubled or just 50 % more. There is more water and bigger waves.
I continue to read as I go through the rapids as I can see the bottom of the run. I am feeling better about the river. Then I get parked on a sleeper rock just before a rapids that reminds me that I only see parts of the rapid from the top and there are drops and rocks I do not see. Soon after the confluence I pass a village. River rapids get easy for a while. The river narrows and the rapids get big but not too long. I drop into holes and up again. No crazy turns to make the rapids. Finally get my picture of one of the many pot belly pigs I see all over Lao. Another town and I think of stop in for lunch. I see a flag and think government officials. I paddle on.
Some lady’s signal me to come over. After a little bit I find they want a match. As Prometheus I grab my lighter. It takes a bit to get the fire going. They use a running shoe bottom which burns nicely. There is another thing for TSA to question why we are wearing them. I am offered lunch of spicy fish and rice. I decide not to explain that I don't eat fish to a lady holding a machete. Rice whiskey is offered as a Lao tradition. I think machete. I drink the traditional two cups plus one for good measure.
Ten more lady's show up and lunch is being prepared lunch. Lads come down from the hillside with axes. A couple lads want to try out my boat. I then head on down river.
Latter in the afternoon I looking at a rapids from my boat. I can't see over the horizon of the entire rapids. Some guy fishing on bamboo boats indicate I should go. I drop over a meter and a half into a trough. Lots of water is pouring down from the left. I go through a couple of holes and down a big wave train. I pull out to dry and camp. The guys on the bamboo rafts come down a nice easy channel. The guy who encouraged me into the rapids indicates I can’t sleep there. The guy indicates I should go two something down the river. I am losing the sun light. I paddle on I pass a village with antennas. Another mile and I find a quite gravel bar.
Just after setting up my tent a boat motors up river and stops. The two guy get out and bring a half full beer bottle with local whiskey. We each have a round from my cup. Each drink includes a chorus of Savadee. Then another and another till the bottle is finished. They go back to the boat and the two women with them are not too happy. They I am drunk as I cook dinner.
I eat my dinner with the moths. Lights out but I have a near full moon.
I wake to a spot light on the tent. It moves on. As I step out of tent in the middle of the night and I hear a deep grunt from something big in the jungle as I return to the tent. I go back to sleep with a headache. I think there was too much wood alcohol in the whiskey.
Camp 3
Boat
23.3 Miles, 7:29 Moving Time, Max Speed 11.0 Miles, Moving Average 3.1 Miles, Stop Time 3:47 Overall Average Speed 2.1 Miles, Temp Min 64 F-79 F, Start 9:00 next day end 18:00, Decent 64 feet, Max Altitude 1720 feet.
Cloudy with sunny in afternoon
Love & Kisses
Steve
23.3 Miles, 7:29 Moving Time, Max Speed 11.0 Miles, Moving Average 3.1 Miles, Stop Time 3:47 Overall Average Speed 2.1 Miles, Temp Min 64 F-79 F, Start 9:00 next day end 18:00, Decent 64 feet, Max Altitude 1720 feet.
Cloudy with sunny in afternoon
Love & Kisses
Steve
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