Got back to Luang Prabang and was able to Skype Air Canada and on the second attempt got a clear enough line to change my ticket. I am now scheduled to return on May 17. I had no trouble getting connections from Bangkok to Seoul Korea and Seoul to Vancouver, but couldn't get any space from Vancouver to Calgary. I have a pretty lousy return route - I think a long wait in Vancouver so I hope I can see Val and Lyle at least, and an overnighter in the airport ...

Hey no worries. Laid back Laos is just what I needed after crazy busy Hanoi. I will be MIA for a few days because I am heading up the Mekong early tommorow morning in a small but very long skinny boat (think Banana Boat ride but not inflatible) I met a couple from California and we are going to head up about 8 or 9 hours on the boat upstream....I think we will rent it at the pier tomorrow.....wooden bench seats - two across fills the space.....not built for co...

sprained my ankle this afternoon. Not so happy - the pain is starting to subside - I bought a wrap and have it elevated. Trying to remember all the parts for RICE. Seems I haven't done it very well.  I rented a bike very early in the day in an attempt to mitigate the miles I was putting on searching for a Bank Machine that would accept the " Ïnterac" logo. Seems nearly everyone uses a Visa or MasterCard Debit system, not Cirrus and Interact. Remember t...