This is only a journey for people with time on their hands - it was supposed to take three hours but took nine. But it is a real experience. The river takes you through countless villages literally built right on it - floating pig sties and huts, children picking up groceries on tiny canoes, people fishing - it is amazing. The boat drivers’ steering can be a bit haphazard at times to say the least, and it's not the most comfortable boat, but this is a journey you won't forget in a hurry. Take sunscreen and a camera.
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I agree that this journey is excellent. There are faster boats that take the aforementioned 3 hours, but these are unpopular with the locals along the route and clearly cause ill feeling towards those travelling in them. If you have the time, the slow boat is probably the better option.
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