We've made it to Louang Prabang, Laos after discovering our destination in Laos was much more difficult and time consuming to get to than expected. It was a 2-day trip on the Mekong River from Chiang Khong, Thailand via the "slow boat". The "fast boat" is a speed boat that is reported to be very dangerous. It takes 6-hours and participants (victims) are required to wear motorcycle type, full helmets for the journey. Fatalities are not reported in Laos, but from web sites and stories I have heard, they are not uncommon from speed boat accidents.