Leaving Thailand on the Slow(est) Boat (in the world!)

Have you ever thought to yourself: What on god's green earth possessed me to do such a thing? By the second day of the Slow Boat ride down the Mekong River. That's exactly what I was thinking. Don't know what a slow boat is? Basically it's a boat used primarily for cargo. Think Teeny Tiny Tug Boat and you're probably close. For some reason, back in the day when tourism was developing in S.E.Asia some genius said "I wonder how many foreigners we could trick into riding on one of these things" and from then on Thai and Laos slow boat drivers have been making a fortune.
The crew and driver were actually very nice (on the first day) and I have no hard feelings towards them, I will, however, being holding a lifelong grudge against the person who designed the most uncomfortable (not to mention unstable) bench on the face of the planet.
Other than the ass-numbingly slow ride down the Mekong, this was actually a fairly enjoyable trip.

This is a Slow Boat

This is what it looks like on the inside

Now, this was the first day. Look at all that SPACE! My, oh, my did we have it good. This was the second day: Imagine being tired, frustrated, cranky and above all riding on a bench that is about to break with a sore ass. And that was my day from 10 am to 6 pm. 

As negative as this post may sound there was, of course, some good to be found in it all.

In conclusion, boats are usually fun, unless you are tired and cranky. Then, hopefully, there is some beautiful scenery to keep you complacent.