mikes midlife round the world in 96 days

i decided to do the tiring 3 day journey to luang prabang and booked through my guesthouse.Everything was meant to have been prepaid and arranged(ha).I was picked up at 12 noon and taken to tour operator office where they encouraged us to allow them to organise visa for 1650 baht.the others who were girls decided to but i judged my instincts and refused even though they said i would have to wait 2 hrs at immigration..a long and cramped journey to Chiang Khong in a minibus took 6 hrs,stopped off for supposedly lunch but no place to buy a meal,then same again later on in journey.Finally arrived at guesthouse(poorish quality)and had meal(included in price)but not to tasty.Beds were rock hard as were the pillows(non flushing toilet).
So next day up at 8 for brekkie,and then off to thai border.Passed through easily enough then onto small boat for ferry across to Laos(400metres).Free transfer included in package but had to pay for luggage to get over.
So Laos visa took me 5 mins to get at cost of 35 dollars(1135 baht),and got my stamps in passport for arrival.Another roundabout drive to show passports to 3 different people for unusual reasons and then down to slow boat.
This was a complete joke,so many people cramped onto this narow barge type boat,wooden benches and no space to move.This not as shown in brochure.I decided to find alternative means and boarded similar barge which was taking local laos family in same direction.Another 6 people followed me ,although we had to lie on floor we could at least walk about and sleep.Extra 200 bht each as a backhander.7 hrs journey to Pak Beng,half way down Mekong River.Guest house for that night was extra cost which i shared with daniella a girl i met on minibus.
The views along the way were nice,lots of small villages along the way,locals fishing in river,women panning for something at water edge and lots of kids just mucking about in river.
Next day 8 hr journey but boat was slightly better so i stayed aboard..So finally we arrived about 6 pm to Luang prabang and faced the gauntlet of guest house touts.we planned to get our own but were so tired we agreed to go and look. We agreed to stay.place nice and clean,room big and working toilet and shower.
Home sweet home for the next 3 nights!