2nd Country entered: Lovely Laos

After a long 6 - 7 hr drive from Chang Mai we entered the border of Thailand, Chang Kong. I hadn't been feeling all that good and got time to relax after we had completed our Visa forms in this restaurant we had been taken to. Only i could decide that a good time to be sick ws just as i had my back pack on about to enter the water to get on te boat to cross the border to immigration! (not to mention the fact that i had a crowd of about 50 people and the locals on the beach playing football!)

Anyway, that said we were now in Huay Xai and after a talk about catching the boat the next morning and found a guesthouse to stay in. Thank goodness it was nice with our own bathroom...was definately time to get some shut eye and make myself better for the 12 hr boat trip.

It sounds a long time but i spent it sleeping, reading and listening to my Ipod. Tunes such as Chasing cars, Bitter sweet symphony were a great soundtrack to listen to as we crusied along the Mekong.

As soon as we got there (Luang Prabang)we were greeted by the steepest steps ever, that overcome we chilled out in a little french influenced barand tried to decide on a place to stay in for the night. Laziness crept in and after looking at the place next door, the Sok dee, we stayed there.

Dinner was in a lovely french restaurant but unfortunately my stomach was too delicate to take it so i ate some bread and drank the water while the others tucked into Spaghetti Bolognaise, steak and a burger! Whoever saaid you will get skinny in SE Asia is lying, esp in Laos where baguettes are everywhere!!!

Early to bed, early to rise and after a breakfast of a warm baguette, scrambled egg, bacon, ham and cheese and a cup of tea we hired bikes for the day. From midday till 5 we rode around, checking out local life, schools, universities, even the airport. The views were stunning and the atmosphere was buzzing!

After freshening up we decided to search out the nightlife. There is one street we had heard about where all the action was and one particular bar...the Hive bar. 2 for 1 on cocktails led me to my fav, a Mojito!! Beer lao soon followed. We have been travlling with a group of about 10 people who all seem to be doing the same route so we keep bumping into them all. Several Australians, some guys from Leeds and a girl from Ireland. We all ended up in a late night place called Vietnam Bar, all very dodgy and to be honest smelt of wee! Ho hum, beggers can't be choosers and with a whole bottle of Beer to drink i wasn't complaining.

The late night didn't make our 8.15 start to catch the bus to Vang Vieng enjoyable! The mini bus was interesting to say the least, there was cracks in the windscreen and Emily had to sit on the arm rest between me and Lucy...not nice, so we shuffled about.

So here I am, my first night in Vang Vieng. It is kind of like the Ko san Road on a smaller scale. We are staying in a lovely guesthouse, wit breath taking views on the balconies! It is true what they say though, Friends re-runs are being played in all the bars, some of you know that will make me happy!

Plan on going tubing tomorrow...that is where you get on a tyre type ring and go down the river stopping in bars along the way. Don't worry, won't be drinking a lot. Will fill you in about that later