Laos

We went from Chang Mai to Change Rai then across the border into Laos.  We met up with some of the people from our trek again and took a slow boat down the Mekong river to Luang Prabang.  It boat was amazing - Laos is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.  It took two days but was the most relaxing journey we have done yet. 

When we arrived in Luang Prapang we met up with more people from Chang Mai.  Luang Pragang is really chilled out and slow paced and beautiful.  We spent a few days just looking around and visiting the night market.  One afternoon we went to the small waterfall which was amazing and another day we got bikes and explored the town.  On the last evening we walked up 250 steps to the top of Phu Si to watch the sun setting over the river.  It was breathtaking.
 

With Sam on our Bikes

We caught the bus down to Vang Vieng, where everybody goes tubing down the river.  It was completely different to Luang Prabang as it is more like a party town.  We went tubing which involves sitting in a rubber ring and floating down the river.  You then get off at the different bars along the river and drink.  It was full of drunk english/australians swinging off ropes into the river and massive slides.  Surprisingly, it was more embarrassing than fun as the place is so spectacular but has been ruined.  Tim went off one of the swings and because of his height he touched the bottom when he jumped - There are a lot of horror stories about broken legs and death and it's easy to see how it could all go wrong very quickly.    

 We then Kayaked some of the way from Vang Vieng to Vietianne on a tour.  Tim haggled the tour guide to such a low price he felt bad and took him for a beer!  It was really interesting listening to him talk about his tribe and all their customs - as many wives as you can afford to keep, sleep on the left of your wife if you want a boy and the right for a girl and he has never left his village in 21 years!  All he wanted to know about was the snow in England!  Him and Tim looked ridiculous together as he was only 5 foot tall :0)

 We are heading south to Cambodia next and have to say goodbye to Sam and Nicola who we have been traveling with for a few weeks.  Sad times! We had to leave the rest of the trekkers in Luang Prabang, so it will be just me and Tim again for a while.