Tom convinced me rent a motorbike. No idea how. But it was cheap and the Bolaven Plateu is famous for coffee plantation. So after a little lesson from the guest house owner we set off with Bastien. Tom and I shared a bike switching a couple fo time who drove. Tom was more relaxed but I was still a bit nervous.

Tom: it was greaaat! Sorry mum but I would have been annoyed if I hadn't have gone. It was so exhilirating just riding down long winding roads and seeing the country (which I am realizing is very poor compared to Britain). There are a lot of people with our old clothes and are quite dirty. Young girls sometimes transporting things using a stick on the back with baskets at either side. But they are all nice and the children scream Sabaidee (hello) whenever they see us.

The coffee plantation was very pretty and sold really nice coffee, their iced mocha was to die for. Then onto yet another spectacular waterfall. It really was spectacular. Riding the bikes was amazing. The roads were pretty good for Lao and although it wasn't far between settlements it really felt that we were in the middle of no where- really on our own adventure.

All together we drove 170km in about 5/6 hours. My ass really hurt by the end of it, the last bit was the worst. On the way we stopped several times but on the way back we just did 80km straight only stopping to stretch our legs twice. I still didn't feel too safe but I wouldn't mind learning more about bikes when I get back and maybe doing the Che Guevara thing in South America (or Vietnam is supposed to be really good on a bike too!)

back at the guest house the owner cooked a BBQ that we all helped with, really good food and nice sitting round chatting with the people staying here.

Tom: I mashed the potato as I always do but with one difference! No masher? Use a baseball bat!