SUNSETS ON THE MEKONG – DON DET ISLANDS, LAOS

I imagined I would only stay a few days. In fact, I scribbled “2-3 days” next to Don Det Islands on my list of places to visit. It was my first stop in Laos and I had an ambitious plan of seeing as much of the country as I possibly could in a month. I befriended a Swedish girl on the bus upon the long and strenuous border crossing from Cambodia. Similar to my other introductions to travelers on varied modes of transportation, we were instantly friends and it was assumed we would share accommodation to save money. We found a riverside shack within a matter of minutes after our boat pushed on to shore.

The room had enough space to fit two beds comfortably and just outside, from our patio, we had a fantastic view of the river below and two hammocks swung idly in the breeze behind us. I couldn’t ask for more. I was also sure that I would be bored to death by the second day and have to leave my new friend to pursue more stimulating activities and unique destinations. I had once read an article about the Mekong and apart from some general information I specifically recall the author noting how spectacular the sunsets are on the river. I remember thinking how contrived that description was and how one can boast of beautiful sunsets anywhere in this great world of ours. But while I lay swinging in my hammock as the first day slowly came to an end, I realized that the author was not at all misinformed. I soon found that there was great truth to his very generically crafted description. Mothers washed dishes, children frolicked and fishermen drifted in the water. The brilliant colours and exuberant energy of a sunset that beckoned the starry night ahead would suddenly transform this simple village scene by the river.

I experienced many sunsets on my trip; standing upon epic monuments overlooking breathtaking vistas to drinking beers after a day of diving and watching the orange glow of the sky as we rocked gently on the sea. The list goes on but none of those moments come close to conjuring the feelings produced by the sunsets on the Mekong. A sense of peace and calm would surface, time would slow down and I’d be left wanting for nothing else but that moment to last forever. It was a lazy Sunday morning back home with no heralding commitment other than an espresso in the morning. The Mekong delivered this sentiment to me with such ease and as the days passed, I discovered that even beyond points of interest or unique experiences, the feelings that a destination creates is enough to prolong any stay. I bade farewell to my friend seven days later and was delighted in knowing that the serenity of the Don Det Islands and the beauty of the Mekong and its sunsets served as a perfect introduction to Laos. It taught me one of first lessons I gained during the onset of my travels - a destination is more than just a new place but a new way of seeing things.