Katie: Having heard many great & wonderful stories about Luang Prabang, we were thoroughly disappointed... we had 2 thunder storms & 3 of us 4 hardened travellers were struck down with a bout of sickness. Em was the only survivor, avoiding such illness. Not pleasant. We didn\'t get up to much (compared to our Vang Viene adventures). We did hike what felt like Everest, about 10,000 steps to the top of a hill to watch a sunset which was well worth it - including getting a full view of a man up there in his speedos. Not pleasant. We also took another rather lengthy tuk tuk ride to a waterfall, where we casually came across a tiger in the woods - luckily, it was enclosed behind a fence (phew!) The waterfall was beautiful although the water was pretty cold, but lovely in the hot weather. We lazed around for a while & read our books. That\'s about all we did in Luang Prabang. We then headed to Phonsavan via a mini bus with a Danish man & an Italian woman (rather hairly & smelly unfortunately). Alyson was the co-driver up front with the driver. She did a good job. Unfortunately the mountain roads yet again defeated our stomaches & poor old Julie was worst off in the prime of her illness & was sick in the worst toilets in Loas. We stopped in a remote tribal village where Em gave out some sweets to the local kids - who had probably never eaten sugar before & consequently were high as kites. I did a little dance for them & they thought I was highly amusing - well who wouldn\'t?!! Phonsavan not only was the most expensive & possibly grottiest place, and so turned out to be disappointing. We didn\'t stay long, just enough to see the Plain of Jars for a day (although I had to miss such a thrilling trip due to returning illness). The day began with a trip to the morning market which was less than pleasant - featuring live animals to be sold, including piglets in tiny pig shaped wicker baskets, chickens, frogs, bamboo rats, crabs, fish & stinking veg. We thankfully left & went to site 2 of the Plain of Jars - once you've seen one, you've seen them all. They're similar to large stone pots, but had to wonder around carefull due to landmines & unexploded bombs. God bless America. Saw 2 more sites, same same but different (a local phrase... we'll explain when we get home). We left early the morning of the 11th. 6am, to head for Vietnam...!