Hello again, we are still in Laos and have spent today floating down the Nam Song river in a tube, drifting past beautiful mountains and enjoying the odd beer. Needless to say it was a very relaxing day. We've spent about 6 days in Vang Vieng, waiting for the weather to improve as it has been raining and grey for ages (I'm sure you all feel very sorry for us). We have tried a few Laos meals and have decided Laos food is not for us, dried frog on a stick anyone?

During one of the rainy days we went to explore a nearby cave, full of stalactites and stalagmites. The cave was lit for about halfway, then suddenly the lights went out. Jon had sensibly packed a torch; however when we reached the end of the dark cave the batteries ran out. We did eventually grope our way back out.

We spent Jon's birthday with a group of lovely English people we met who very generously bought Jon a birthday present. A big bucket of ice arrived complete with coke, red bull and a whole bottle of the local tiger whiskey. As someone explained to us, tiger is not a sipping whiskey (tastes horrible). Anyway, several hours later I escorted a slightly inebriated Jon home again. He was so tired that whilst I unlocked our door he fell off a chair and scraped his nose. I tried very very hard not to laugh but was unsuccessful.