The 'cruise' was scheduled to commence at Jing Hong in China. We duly arrived at a perfectly acceptable hotel which we had previously arranged, after an overnight stay we were due to be collected and transferred to the Laos Pandaw. We were indeed collected and transferred to a somewhat third rate Chinese hotel and informed that we would be staying here until further notice. Communications were virtually non existent. A local guide stated that we would be at this hotel for at least two nights, what a dismal prospect. We were provided with dinner and a small amount of beer two bottles between 8 people! A promise that a Pandaw representative was on his way to explain. Well he arrived the following day, no apologies were forthcoming, no reasons given for the itinerary not being adhered with, in fact rather a waste of time. We spent three nights in this ghastly hotel, no one spoke English, Pandaw I believe hastily organised some tours which should have been part of the original itinerary, by a rather old dirty coach. In the meantime the standard of food remained at a dismal low and if you required a drink well the bar was open at a cost.

We were eventually taken by a Chinese boat along the Mekong to the China/Laos border and then transferred to a hastily converted freight carrier, well tables and chairs were provided to meet the Laos Pandaw We had left the hotel around 07.30 and arrived on the boat at18.00!

We now had three days on the boat, we did not follow the itinerary in any way, we did not visit Burma, however we did eventually arrive at Chiang Saen, at last we complied with the itinerary. After speaking with members of the crew we were informed that Laos Pandaw had NEVER been to China! Well you pay your money and Pandaw appear to be at liberty to do what they like, it was certainly an adventure which I would not recommend.