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 for the night. After a tour of the Village we were fed with a traditional Lao meal and then entertained by the village children and taught to dance. Sounds very corny but we all loved it. G Adventures donates money to the school and other village projects in return for the accommodation. The buildings we stay in have lovely tiled floors and plumbing, so it is nice to see the direct benefits. Our accommodation wes Homestay no 3. The local pub. So guess where we all ended up! I THINK IT WAS A BIT OF TYPE-CASTING BY NUDDIE (OUR GUIDE)! Obviously no wifi here so this will be tagged onto the next blog. After a night of sleep broken by c*** crowing (THEY STARTED AT 2am!) we were taken by bus into Vang Vieng. If I had to stay and spend another night in the Homestay there would have been a lot less chickens and a huge pot of curry for everyone. Cattle, chickens,turkeys,dogs and children all roamed the streets freely. It was a magical stay. The town of Vang Vieng lies by a river surrounded by limestone cast like mountains. the mist hangs on the mountains like smoke that will soon vanish as the sun breaks through the haze. It is only 0920 and we have been up three hours and we are having coffee and tea watching the boat trips leave the shingle spit. Why can't life always be like this? Plans for the day - maybe a bike ride, maybe a boat trip, maybe........ It does not matter and I am lost for words...... HOWEVER I NOW HAVE A BOTTLE OF CHILEAN WINE SO WE MAY JUST MOOCH AND READ BOOKS.