This sketch book is a record of a trip in 1995. It was the fourth and last ‘research’ trip organised by Intrepid Travel as they were starting a new tour package. Laos had recently opened to restricted tourism which made this trip possible. The Laos section of the trip was unforgettable for many reasons- being shipwrecked on the Mekong among them. 
This drawing was finished 20 minutes before we hit the rock. I had written ‘our lives in his hands’ just after I finished drawing his hand on the tiller.
We were lucky to be alive. At this stage the boatman was unbolting the motor from the boat.
One of the most amazing experiences was to wake up before the village, and sit in the mist as the village slowly revealed itself, and the turkeys and pigs started foraging.
I trust that the sketches will have some meaning for you as well. Looking back on them after almost 20 years, they resurrect tastes and smells, fears and strong feelings.
Stuart Whitelaw Art 
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They are great Stuart, an interesting recording at a time of change, thank you for sharing.
Hi Stuart! Nice to meet you 🙂 Wonderful to see your sketches. I especially like the Tuk Tuk with all the notes on! And the gentle washes of colour render them beautiful. Happy Easter to you!
Good to have your record as well. Like the bug attracted to the light!
I found these through dadiri – what a good thing to do. The pastels are so evocative!
Beautiful!
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Oh, to sketch – dozens of photographs distilled to the essence, creating one image, like a dream or a memory. Though my experiences on the Mekong (oh, what a river!) were singularly uneventful, your sketches encompass both my memories and also the sketches of Louis Delaporte, the official artist on the French Exploration expedition in the mid 1800s (introduced to me by John Keay in his terrific Mad About the Mekong – which perfectly describes my feelings too!). Ciao, Meredith
Sketches are better than photos, digital cameras have made me lazy.
Just too easy to greedily snatch and grab a piece of nature.
These sketches remind me of the good times when I took a little more time to appreciate.
Hi Jack,
I totally agree. When I look back on a sketch I can feel what I was sitting on, smell the breeze, feel the sun and hear the sounds.