Hello,

On Garaths Birthday we went to MeiMei's cafe for lunch and then to the park. We found an awesome zip line it takes you accross the lake then back again. We got some funny photos and a video or two. In the evening we went to Mekong cafe and I treated him to a birthday banquet. We had beef and lemongrass balls, spring rolls, Chicken fricasee, steamed veg with peanut sauce and sticky rice, followed by his surprise cheesecake.

We havent realy done much since then, weve had some nice meals at Mei Mei's and Mekong cafe, and wandered around a few book-shops and sent postcards etc etc.

Weve had a bit of a mental day today! We were meant to go to Mengla, stay in Mengla 1 night, and then at 7:50am tomorow go to Luang Prabang in Laos.

$ = pounds they dont have pound signs on the keyboard.

We got up this morning and got on the 9:00am $3.50p bus from Jinghong to mengla and were there by 12:00 mid-day.

We booked into a hotel for $4 then went looking for the Bank of China to get out US-dollars for the Laos Border and Laos. We were advised a couple of days ago that there was a Bank of China in Mengla, as it turns out there isnt the nearest one to the border is in Jinghong!

So we got the $4 back from the hotel, (minus the $4 deposit) and got on the $3.50 bus back to Jinghong. We booked straight back into the hostel we left this morning as the banks had already closed for the day.

To round up, today we went to Mengla and came back again.

The Bank of China opens at 8:00am tomorow so we wil be on the doorstep when they open, and will get the money sorted as soon as possible. We will then get the afternoon bus to Mengla, and stay in the hotel we went to this morning. Then get the 7:50 bus to Luang Prabang in Laos.

What a nightmare! We dealt with it realy well though, no fights just ok never mind lets deal with it! I think were growing up! Kind of a blessing in disquise anyway as weve had time to find out more about Luang Prabang for when we get there, Hostels, Attractions, and theres a 1 day cookery course you can do that sounds good.

Laos is one hour behind of China so we will only be GMT+7.

Lots of love, and will hopefully speak to you all soon, but probably wont be for a couple days.