Teakwood Table Thailand

The flightsEtihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.The cruiseThe Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.The hotelsAccommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.

Going with the flow takes on new meaning when your mode of transport for a trip along South East Asia’s mighty Mekong River is a private, 41-metre, two-cabin cruiser – and it’s monsoon season.

I’m about to embark on a three-night, four-day cruise on a 400-kilometre section of the 4,350km-long waterway – the seventh-longest river in Asia – and one that has for thousands of years connected the six countries it flows through, from China in the north, through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, to Vietnam in the south.