Good Timing

Quick Facts:

The Mekong River is the 12th longest river in the world, and the 10th largest by volume of water. Half of the river winds through China before entering Laos.

The muddy brown river was reaching its lower levels due to the dry season being well under way. During the rainy season the Mekong will swell to 14 km wide near the mouth.

Our four hour trip in the chartered long-boat, approximately 40 feet long by eight feet wide, was a treat. The moutains jut straight up from the river banks. Small terraced farms and huts spatter the mountain-side.

Currently there are no dams across the Mekong, but not for long. Laos has approximately a dozen dams planned, and China a half-dozen in the works. China will build its second largest dam, behind the record breaking Three Rivers Gorge project. Laos hopes to produce enough hydro-energy to supply most of Southeast Asia.

We are lucky to experience one of the last untamed great rivers in the world - good timing.