Peter Mcconnell

From Savannakhet its yet another bus trip, this time to Pakse. I had booked a riverside motel that turned out to be some distance from town. After quite some time googling and asking directions my taxi driver was excited to finally find it. The views of the river and mountains were certainly worthwhile. The Arawan

Cai Rang is the largest floating market in the Mekong Delta. All the fruits and vegetables being sold are grown in the delta. Produce available from the boats is advertised on long bamboo poles. At the end of the morning, we had a great breakfast of coffee and Pho which is a noodle soup.

A trip up one of the many waterways from Can Tho. I am planning to get back and explore more of this fascinating country. To be continued

There is a bus from Pakse to Champasak. I chose the far more exciting option of the car ferry across the Mekong. I am unsure of the wages and conditions but on this particular day it seemed like a pretty nice way to make a living.

From Si Phon Don a short bus ride to the border followed by much filling out of forms another passport size photography $30 American plus a $1 administration fee. After some time I have my visa and enter Cambodia. I have chosen to stay at the fabulous Mekong bird a rural retreat nine kilometres from

From Kampong Cham my final bus trip in Cambodia is to the capital. With more than 2 million people the largest and most populous city on the river. I only had two days here before flying out but my hotel offered great views of the river. I was amazed by how big a load the

At 6.7 miles wide these are the widest waterfalls in the world. And are the reason the river is not fully navigable into China. In 1866 a French party set out in steamer boats to seek a trade route up the Mekong from the South China Sea into China. They made several attempts to go

Wanting to see in New Years’ eve on a riverside town, I was again on the now familiar 507 bus this time to the village of Si Chiang Mai just 40km from Nong Khai. My hotel with its colourful entrance although close to the river and fish farms was some distance into town. The friendly

The buses have been replaced by minivans as I make my way to the little riverside town of Kratie. This is considered one of the best places in the world to see the now critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. You can view Kratie’s location here

From Champasak, I next want to visit Si Phan Don known as 4,000 islands where at times the Mekong can be up to 13km wide. I catch a ferry from Champasak to the mainland then a very crowded bus to Ban Hat Xai Khoun. I have chosen to stay on the largest island of Done

Arriving in the small town of Champasak my first decision after many weeks of traveling was to treat myself to some luxury accommodation at the river resort. Magnificent riverside views, infinity pools, buffet breakfast, and restaurant fantastic. I spent an afternoon exploring the UNESCO heritage listed Wat Phu. On the taxi ride home from the

My last Thai riverside town before crossing into Laos at Mukdaham and I have never seen the river as wide. It has been voted Thailand’s friendliest town and I agree I had a wonderful time here. The incredible Wat Phra That Phanom temple did not seem overrun by tourists and apart from myself I only