11 May 12 Travelled 3 hours to 4,000 islands, and specifically Don Det. Don Det is the most famous of the 4,000 islands. It is quite a large island, whereas some if the islands are tiny (have a little grass on them). To get to Don Det, you get a boat from the mainland (Nakasang). I couldn't believe the amount of rubbish on the beach in Nakasang, it was disgusting! The boat trip was adventfull. It was a small boat packed full of travellers and their backpacks!...

10 May 12 After the terrible bus journey arrived in Pakse at 5am. The guesthouse planned to stay in was shut until morning, went and woke up the staff in Thaluang Hotel to get a room for the night. Needed a relaxing day after that bus ride. Had my first massage - Lao body massage. It was really good, feel relaxed and energised now. Had some great food today, tasty food that is not bland - am I still in Laos?!

8 May 12 After just one night in Vientiane, decided to move on and head for Kong Lo Caves! Got on another bus and travelled for 7 hours to Kong Lo (without any stops!!). Arrived and got dropped off at Kong Lo Eco Lodge. Took a walk around the area to see what was about...I am in a one street village with a few restaurants, stores out of houses and home stay or guesthouses, with the caves at the end of the road. As our lunch food was disappointing at our lod...

7 May 12 Continued travelling south down Laos to Vientiane, the capital of Laos! Took 5 hours in a "VIP" bus (a coach), and although again scenic, was a bumpy old ride!! Vientiane is the capital of Laos. It's an odd city, it doesn't feel like a capital. There are lots of main streets with big worldwide stores like Toshiba, Land Rover and Fuji Film, and it seems quite European with the buildings! Staying in a sketchy dorm (private to just our group), called As...

4 May 11 Travelled south of Laos to Vang Viang! Took 6 hours by mini bus. The roads down go through the mountains and the scenery is beautiful. Although the journey is bumpy along some narrow windy roads, whilst avoiding cows and pigs roaming the roads, its quite scary at times! Vang Viang is a strange town, and over populated with westerns! 5 May 11 Bun Bang Fai (Rocket festival). Locals make their own rockets to launch - to encourage the rain to come! Some...