We are in Laos now crossed the border no problem very relaxed not a gun in sight. Our group has its own private boat (people on public boat looked envious) and floating down the Mekong is a pleasure. The views are spectacular cannot really convey on the photos. We stopped for the night in Pakbeng which is a small village only had electricity for four hours 6-10 pm. Lots of restaurants (vegetarian) we went to a fantastic Indian cost less than a fiver for meal and drinks. Back on the boat played a complicated Laos card game very good but seem to be new rules all the time just when you thought you had got the hang of it. The Laos guide Wong is very friendly he taught us the card game and is always suggesting a Laos beer which is very good. Think he likes a drink. We stopped at an even smaller village near Wong's home the locals all seemed to having a drink together I think it was midday. The young kids loved having their photos taken and even more to look at them. One girl was white and had blonde hair strange.

Just before Luang Prabang we went to some cave that were full of Buddhas discarded including a graveyard full of bits of Buddha. The top cave was pitch black and full of bats fortunately they were all asleep. Kids on the way were trying to sell us caged birds which if you bought them they released seemed a pointless exercise. In Luang Prabang we went out for a fantastic dinner in a posh French influenced restaurant had nice bottle of red. Went to National museum this morning residence of the last king.  In the temple it was all lacquered in gold but had a plastic clock.  Keeley loved the black and red pillars but this is just an undercoat for yet more gold.  Free rest of day today so me and Keeley going to take it easy as having a hike into Jungle tomorrow morning setting off at eight.