Finally I am at the trail head!  And of course this journey wouldn’t be complete without… High tide.  I have heard it was dangerous to cross at high tide but I decided to hike as far as I could and stop where it was impassible.  There was one spot where I threw my mosquito net down and used a rope to climb down the rock.  Oh my gosh this is it, this is the beach I am at the gathering!!!  I walked up the beach and saw some kind folks sitting on a blanket so I dropped all my bags and collapsed.  I couldn’t even set up my hammock, just need to sit for a while. 
So when all was said and done I left Luang Prabang Monday evening at 5, headed for rainbow with as few stops as possible.  Thursday around noon I was there.  67 hours almost 1000 miles only taking busses, motorbikes, tuk tuks and taxies.  I probably had 8 hour of sleep total  only 1 or 2 hours at a time and all on the bus… but…I AM HERE!!