Overnight In Pak Beng

We arrived at Pak Beng about 5:30. A hotel van took us to Le Grand, the big resort there, another beautiful room/villa and dinner.

I was navigating all the way, although Google Maps was a bit sketchy regarding
the course of the river

Le Grand, Pak Beng, Laos

Right across the river from an elephant reserve

The tour boats were packed in exactly like sardines

The deck of our villa

And view of the river

Another beautiful room...but this time we were worthy, having shelled out $90,
a splurge; we figured a remote village in darkest Laos might be worth it; turns out
it was not quite that remote; but still a good decision; beautiful furniture, floors,
all teak

Sunset on the Mekong

And a full moon, heading to dinner at the hotel

Only kind of beer I had in Laos, Beerlao

My appetizer was a fairly decent Tom Yum; sadly I failed to photograph the
triple curry we shared for dinner

Dessert: local fruits and coconut ice cream

A bit of the Le Grand complex, reception, and the restaurant; being on the side
of the hill, everything was pretty steep and not very friendly for the mobility-
impaired

Next morning at breakfast, across the river

You can lead an elephant to water, but...