. There can hardly be a better way to travel between Northern Thailand and the former Lao Royal Capital of Luang Prabang than a languid, two day cruise down river on a 'slowboat'. The landscape is serene, the weather balmy and the boat just puts along, hour by hour as the world passes the windows. Our trip was brought to us by Mekong Smile Cruises. and was well organised in every way. We spent 2 full days on the river and were efficiently transferred to the starting point in Huay Xai from Chiang Mai. It really was a 'no worries' trip. A couple of stops in small villages give a sence of the lives of the people inhabiting the river valley, and serve to break the journey.