We caught an early 'VIP' bus from Luang Prabang down to Vang Vieng. VV was supposed to be a backpackers haven and a 'must do' on the south east asia trail, allegedly. A 'VIP' bus does have many advantages compared to other Laos bus. It is priced to attract tourists (ie is quicker, less inclined to break down, but more pricey) so there were no bags of rice on the floor this time. We also had a VCD to watch 'Windtalkers' (Nick Cage). It was in Laos, but when the opening credits rolled and showed it was a John Woo film, Dave correctly deduced that dialogue would not be the most important element. Has anyone seen it? Please let us know if we missed any key features: i) Nic Cage is touring in Japan in WW2, all his mates get blown up / mutilated / shot, he's injured but survives ii) a kindly nurse helps him to pass his medical so he can go out to be a soldier again - he probably said somethign like 'it's the only life I've ever known' or 'I need to do it for Ted / Fred' / whoever his dead buddies were iii) he goes back to war. He is now a one man killing machine like Arnie. The Japanese don't stand a chance against this man! Christian Slater looks on enigmatically. Some native American Indians (AIs) have trained as wireless operators and join the team. Nic is moody and difficult - he doesn't need to be getting on with these new boys iv) Nic kills more Japanese v) Fate means that Nic and one of AIs get buddy whilst killing some Japanses vi) Nic kills one of the AIs who has been captured by the Japanese, to avoid him receiving the same fate as Christain Slater, who literally loses his head vii) The other AI doesn't believe NC could do this! 'How could you do this?' he probably said viii) They aren't getting on very well at all ix) NC kills more Japanese but then kicks the bucket himself, the AI forgives him and performs some kind of AI ceremony on a mountain to 'release his spirit'

Anyway. Off the bus, we quickly found accomodation then booked straight on to a 'tubing' tour that afternoon. This involves sitting on a blown up tractor tyre and floating down the river, watching the sun set. Various bars along the route try to lure you in for a Beer Lao whilst you sit and listen to Bob Marley. It was getting a bit chilly as the sun set so we had no time for an R&R stop, but it was good fun. That evening we strolled into the Nista curry house ('Cheapest and Best' they claimed, and we had no reason to argue on either score).