Hello Everyone!

Our last blog was over a month ago from Northern Laos and since then we've been busy doing the middle of Laos, all the way down Vietnam and through Cambodia, to where we are now - Siem Reap.

After Luang Prabang we travelled south to Vang Vieng which is a really chilled out place - did tubing down the river there (which is why most people go there) and stopped along several makeshift bars with cheap beer and rope swings etc, was a brilliant day. We also did some caving - hired a moped for the day and zoomed around to some of the better ones - just pay the owners of the land a small fee and go into their caves - glad we had our own torches! Next we headed across to Phonsaven and saw the Plain of Jars which was awesome. Laos is the most bombed country in the world (thanks to the Yanks!!) and we weren't allowed to walk off the path! Our journey from Phonsaven to the Vietnam border was a bit horrendous - bought our bus ticket and then were told that 'no big bus today' and saw our mode of transport - a pick up truck, yes a pick up truck for 10 hours and it was cold and there were about 25 people on board, hanging onto the back, on the roof, you name it. We have never been so happy to reach a destination!!

On to Vietnam - we crossed over at a random border, the book said buses go to Hanoi from there but they dont. We have to charter the immigration doctor's brothers car for a 5 hour journey to the nearest big town, a bit of a rip off but we weren't going to wait 2 days for a bus. It actually worked out really well though as we stay in a stilt house with a family which was really cool. Next day to Hanoi and oh my god, what a crazy city. In comparison to everywhere else we have been we did not like it one bit at all, but after a couple of days got used to it, still we were glad to leave!

In Hanoi we met Joel's Mum, Gran, brother & sister as they came over for Christmas and we all travelled down to Quang Ngai where his Did works. Before that we went to Halong Bay, a really beautiful place but so many boats and the pollution in the air isnt very nice - the weather was pretty crap too. From here we flew to Hue and stayed there for 3 nights, seeing temples, cruising up the Perfume River. Next stop was Quang Ngai and we stayed here a week, was lovely to have a base. It was excellent being with family over Christmas, shopping, watching DVDs, eating too much choccie, drinking too much and generally just chilling out. We did go to My Son, which was sad to see and also visited a village where I dont think they see many Westerners, we were celebrities! Overall an excellent time with the family over the festive period and we were spoilt quite a bit - so thanks!!

Back to being backpackers and the train down to Nha Trang, a beach resort but the sun wasn't around so no point sticking around. Instead we headed for Saigon and spent NYE's there. It was awesome, a huge street party basically and everyone was really friendly - liked it much better than Hanoi!

On to Cambodia now - got the bus across the border with no probs and found a guesthouse on a lake in Phnom Penh (the capital) which was great - just chilled and sat outside in the evenings having a drink. We went to the Killing Fields and S-21 which were both grim and horrible but interesting to learn about the country's history. The skulls on display at both places were the worst thing to see. The people here were so friendly, which is amazing considering their country was more or less in ruins only 27 years ago. Next stop was up to Siem Reap and the famous Angkor Wat temples. We have just finished seeing the whole place for 3 days - it is incredible and you really have to see the size of all the temples to believe it. Sooo many tourists here but everyone wants to see the place. The town of Siem Reap was awesome, one of the nicest places we've been to.

Right, sorry if we've bored you. Off to Bangkok and then spending a month doing the southern islands before hitting Borneo and then to Oz in mid Feb! Hope all is well - we've put photos on the site now so check them out!! Ok, so only a few countries but it's better than nothing!

Love Clare & Joel xxx