Muang Khong is the largest island in the Khong district of Southern Laos. Almost on the Cambodian border, the Mekong reaches its widest point here. Even though this area is known as the “Four Thousand Islands,” there are actually only 4,000 islands in the dry season when the Mekong River is low and little bushes and trees grow on the spits of land. The Lao consider each piece an “island.” …View image…

The Villa Muong Khong Hotel was beautiful in Kangkhung Village, Khong District, Champassak Province. It is family-owned and extremely clean. Kangkhung Village has only one main road with guesthouses and restaurants scattered along it. On Sue’s recommendation, we walked down to Pon’s Restaurant and ate: rice, spring rolls, stir-fried vegetables, a killer red & green pepper pork dish (“hot” didn’t do it justice) and a LARGE BEER for $6. The prices in Laos have spoiled us rotten and we’ll probably have cardiac arrest the first time we dine out in America!

Villa Muong Khong Hotel, Laos
(Photos of “sunset’s are considered “trite” but it was really so spectacular, sitting by the water, eating dinner…that I had to include it…it really didn’t get much better than this.)

 

map of Khong District area, Laos 

villages along the Mekong River, Laos
Chatted a while with two “older” American women in their 60′s, traveling through Asia on their own – trekking, canoeing, and caving - very adventurous – and, if they can do it, you can do it.

Sue suggested rising at 5:30am for a brilliant sunrise…passing on that…enough early mornings…with a lot of sightseeing tomorrow…