Hi everyone... well what can I say Laos is amazing, its like a chilled, cheaper and more relaxed versionof Thailand (with more embroidary markets...morning market...night market... etc)... their fruit shakes are gorgeous too :) lol

At first and after yesterday at the border we passed lots of northern villages where there were straw houses (though was entertaining to see great big satallite dishes and TVs in their houses too) though Luang Prabang is a big city in comparison (one of the main ones and used to be the capitakl which is now V/V - which I go to tomorrow)!

We have had 3 fantastic days here... whereby there has been some relaxing in the heat with beer (much needed holiday chill time... now this is more like it)! We have seen and ridden the elephants, seen the black bear rescue centre and visited and swam at 2 different waterfall sites (and climbed up one... yes I have a bum, knee and elbow gras to show for it)... Its beautiful... there is green beautiful scenery everywhere... but on a negative there are mosquitos everywhere (thank god for the tablets) and I have been bitten to pieces :( ...even Siobhan got bitten by a black ant - ouch... land of bugs!

This place is backpackers paradise...lots to do and lots of Westerners holiaying and travelling through everywhere - which is actually really nice especially after not having that muchin China! Its nice to have Western food at last now!!

I have also bought lots at the local market looking a bit traveller esc at the moment with the tie-around comfy cool trousers... head band and loadsa bracelets up my arm...feeling the culture here hee hee ;)... again local food is good (not china style though)... and I have actually had a funny tummy for most of this adventure so far - so dont worry mum not putting on too many pounds ;) I can always join dads gym when I get home :P hee hee...

Tomorrow I have a 6-7 hour coach ride to the next city - so stay tuned for then :) fingers crossed that this beautiful 30oC + weather keeps up so I can work on my tan and enjoy the vibe ooow yeah!