Wood over the shaft

The Mekong - sometimes quiet and leisurely, sometimes fast and roaring. This is how the approximately 5000-kilometre-long river meanders through Laos. The river is navigable all year round, so many Laotians have set up boat companies that then sail their quaint watercraft up and down the river, heading for small villages or settlements.

There are also day-long cruises for tourism. A Mekong River cruise around Luang Prabang offers a breathtaking view of the jungle and rock formations densely spreading along the riverbank.