Took about four hours to get to our last stop in Laos. After all the dramatic scenery and colonial buildings Vientiane is a bit of a flop. Most of the old stuff has gone and we could be in any modern Asian City in the world. Hotel is fine and we had a good meal tonight. Did all the usual, night market, Wat, and a huge concrete rendition of the Arch de Triumph ( apologies for the English spelling). Flying to Hanoi tomorrow about midday. So lazy start tomorrow. I h...

After an early start we travelled through some spectacular mountain scenery, huge mountains, and winding roads. Route 13 is the main road in Laos but we still passed lorries on their sides and a cement mixer half way across the road again on its side which had been there for weeks as the cement had gone off and they could not lift it back up. After seven hours, with stops, we arrived at the Homestay Village Bang Nadouang where we have been billeted with a family ...

No activities today so lazy start and late breakfast. Ruth never thought having a lie in was getting up at 0800! Lazy walk into town and on for a massage each. Much gentler than the Thai variety, so much so I nearly fell asleep. We had been told by another party member of a bamboo bridge crossing a river feeding the Mekong. We went to find it. The guy who owns it takes it down each year when the river floods and rebuilds it after the rainy season. Health and safe...

The group surprised Ruth last night with a couple of signed cards to remember them and the occasion plus a happy birthday cake while the restaurant sang to her. The whole thing was lovely. Walked to a night market after the meal and returned to the hotel about 11 before the curfew! One picture I have provided needs rotating and blowing up. Some interesting facts about the curfew and other things. Trip to the museum of ethnicity followed by a trip to a local water...