The Golden Triangle (only 30 kms away), also known as Sob Ruak, where the Maesai river meets the mighty Mekhong river, is a popular destination for most travelers. There is a little magic that attracts people to this location expecting to find a pot of gold like at the end of the rainbow.

Most sight seekers come to view the poppies that are supposed to be flourishing in every garden and island on the Mekhong. Having heard ridiculous announcements by travel guards (guides) of tourists, a popular one was, "See that triangular island (sandbar) in the middle of the river? That is why this place is called the Golden Triangle! See the sand of a golden color and the plants growing on it are poppies (imagine a bus load of tourists listening and camera shutters clicking), however, we will wizz by on the boat. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to disembark on the island."

Actually, the first King Kobra G.H. was on the banks of the Mekhong in the early 90's and I know all the villagers who planted the vegetables, mostly peanuts, on the islands! So, I laugh when I think of this and at the time I didn't want to hurt the reputation of the travel guards! But, at least give the right information.

I learned to attract business to my shop at the time and guesthouse by placing on a whiteboard in ink, the question, "Why is the Golden Triangle called the Golden Triangle?" For those of you that visit this website and think you have the answer, forward it to the Kobra. For the winner, you get two choices, wrestle with one of my headhunters or wrestle with our pet python (just a baby, only 3 meters long)! Any winners must come and collect in Maesai. The other option, if you decline the two other choices, is 3 shots off viper whiskey on the house and a free ride to the Golden Triangle and a baptism on the banks of the Mekhong!

Boat rides around the Golden Triangle are available and most of the boat drivers know me by Mr. joe, Kobra Joe or Saddam. The nickname Saddam goes way back when I used to live there! Most of the villagers knew me quite well and knew that I had worked in Saudi Arabia many years and grew up in the Middle East. With a moustache, one of my local drunken regulars thought I resembled Saddam Hussein. Completely untrue, mine is not as bushy as his! So the name stuck.

By the way, if you give them my name, you're probably not going to get a discount anyway, but you may hear of some stories about me! Boat rides for about 1/2 hour spin around, does not allow one to get off in Burma, but you view the almost complete Golden Triangle Casino and Resort on the Burmese side.

The main attraction now is that one can get off in Donsao, Bokeo Province, Laos; an island that has set up a tourist attraction to sell Laotian goods, Lao beer and handycrafts. It is now my favorite stop because the Laotians now know the Kobra better and offer me and any foreigners, all the Penis-of-tiger whiskey, seahorse, seacucumber and herbal whiskey to drink, free of charge! Last time there, 8 shots of the tiger and I was done! The P of T whiskey is an aphrodisiac concoction that seems to work! Enjoy the Laotian party any time. They are always open for business. Just convince the boatdriver to stay a little longer and buy him a couple of beers!

Questions?
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