Kayaked to a fantastic waterfall today (check this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY4s44PIeaE&search=waterfall%20laos%20luang%20prabang )
that looked like it had been artificially terraced out of the hillside and had special clear water imported from the coast flown in to complete the idyll. There was, therefore, a good bit of noisy splashing about and swimming before lunch.

The kayaking continued for a further 12 km or so, mostly down slow-going river but with some easy rapids thrown in. Very relaxing. There was plenty of local activity on the river, from collecting weeds to kids playing, and the banks were dotted with smallholdings amid the jungle, growing cucumbers, lettuce, peanuts and other crops. High karst mountain ridges formed the backdrop, all covered in dense jungle.