A boat trip along the Mekong river in Laos counts as one of South East Asia'a most memorable and fascination excursions. The dramatic natural surroundings and untouched, traditional lifestyle to be seen along the river's banks never fails to delight and inspire visitors. Photographic opportunities abound, both in terms of the dramatic mountain scenery and green paddy fields, and also the intriguing daily life and smiling faces of the indigenous people that populate this part of Laos. Gentle breezes and crisp blue skies provide the ultimate natural backdrop as you drift gently with the flow of the river and fall into the slow pace of life.

Passing through Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, the Mekong is a mighty force and as it traverses the Asian countryside the landscape around it changes along with the people that live from the river's bounty. Such a huge volume of water is hard to fathom as you float on its enormity. In places, the river expands almost to become the as big as a lake, while elsewhere it shrinks to the size of a tributary, the peaceful shore and its inhabitants in constant view. Leaning back in a comfortable chair on the deck, enjoying a refreshing drink served by the smiling crew, you quickly become immersed in the wonder and ease of the surroundings.

You could almost be on a film set as you travel on the Mekong by boat. Tall limestone peaks rise from the earth, shrubs seeming to sprout from the rock and trees congregating like worshippers at the feet of the mountains. Varied shades of green dominate the landscape and the fields along the rivers bank provide food and shelter for an interesting array of birds and animals.

Below the surface, the Mekong is also home to a vast range of fish species including giant river fish strong enough to swim against the water's flow. These incredible creatures sometimes come to the surface for food, while above the trees majestic birds of prey circle and search river's rolling surface for signs of a catch, occasionally diving down to snare their prey.

The people of the Mekong continue to live much as they have for centuries. Drawing sustenance from the river and fertile lands that frame its murky waters. Family life is the focus of social gatherings in the villages with births, marriages and deaths all good reasons for the community to gather eat and socialise. Rural people in Loa are warm and welcoming to visitors and their gentle nature is know throughout the region. It seems that those who live by the river are infused with a sense of calm. They go about their daily lives with a relaxed smile, offering an important reminder of a way of life so many in the west have left behind.

Taking an excursion along the Mekong can almost be seen as a form of meditation. This unique holiday experience gives visitors an opportunity to see how the simple side of life still serves for people in a remote, natural setting.