So Hanoi maybe redeemed itself when we got back there. We checked into a nicer hotel and went out for a nice meal. The next day we both wanted to see different things. Rik headed off to a military museum which was really interesting and full of propaganda from the war. There were helicopters and tanks and other vehicles that had been seized from the opposition. Anna headed off to see Ho Chi Minh lying in his mausoleum which was very surreal. Thousands of people f...

Hello (Xin chao) from Hanoi. We arrived here on Wed 2 April on a Laos Airlines Flight. After getting on the plane in Vientiane we were then all sent back off and into the departure lounge as the plane seemed to be suffering from a small dose of engine failure!! Always good to discover these things before take off! Hanoi is a complete contrast to laid back life in Laos. We took a taxi from the airport to the old quarter and had romantic visions of quiet cobbled st...

Greetings all. Hope you're all doing fine .We stopped in Vang Vien for a few days after Luang Prebang. We travelled by bus through the central mountains in what could have been the most perilous mode of transport yet. The bus conductor gave out sick bags, before we left the station. The roads were twisted through the mountains and we were constantly thrown around our seats. A poor little Laos woman sitting nearby didn't enjoy the trip very much. She spent the fir...

Hello - well after considering the horror stories of each option (plane, speedboat and slowboat) we decided to experience Laos airlines and fly from Chiang Mai to Luang Prebang. Flight was fine. We were amazed how the pilot managed to do the safety talk (which was quite simply 'here are the doors - have a good flight') , dish out in-flight snacks and drinks in the cabin and only pop into the cockpit a couple of times for take off and landing! You have to give the...

Greetings all. We're loving the messages, they make us laugh and although it's only been a week it feels like we've been away for ages. Keep 'em coming, and for the sweepstake pundits.... Rik is eating healthy......but beer is 2 quid for 2 litres and a Mojito is only 80 pence! Oh dear. Chiang Mai is a complete contrast to Bangkok, which is a total relief. Bangkok was a great experience, but we're loving the slow pace around here. The people are incredibly helpfu...