J: Once we got to Savannakhet it turned out they had a massive rainstorm, which thankfully we missed.

We hired some cycles and went for a ride around the town finding lots of temples. We spoke with some of the monks who were keen to practice their English with us, it takes about 6 years for them to become a monk there. We found 3 tiny kittens abandoned on the street, they were just a few hours old still wet from birth, so we took them to the monks who took them on to care for them and seemed to know what they where doing.

S: I had read about a dinosaur museum here, and we all decided to visit it. We were looking around at the bones and Mr Bounxou the archeologist who actually dug up the bones introduced himself, and proceeded to tell us all about the bones and how they were found. The best bit, was going out the back & being able to hold a dinosaur bone. James was in his element and was loving every minute especially when he was holding various bones from Tyrannosaurus-Rex, Spinosaurus & Brachiosaurus. The man clearly loved his job, and made our visit very memorable.

We visited a Catholic Church in the town, which was strange to find, but very beautiful to admire.

We enjoyed a beer chilling out by the river whilst looking at Thailand over the river Mekong.

J: Later whilst riding around, some locals sitting in their garage said hello to Sam as she passed. I also said hello and they waved me to go to them, so we turned back and sat down with them. They were from Vietnam we worked out, they spoke little English but we understood the basics of drink beer! They shared their dinner with us, which was spicy sausages that were best eaten with a raw garlic clove and a whole chilli in one mouth full, we loved it. They didn't sip beer only downing the glass but each of them wanted to down a glass with me individually....... I could see how this was going to end! I left Sam and popped to the shop to buy more beer as we were clearing them out and bought some chocolate buttons for their children, I was a hit for that and they all downed their beers lol. Obviously Sam sat next to me eating and drinking this whole time, once we were totally full the men invited the women of the family to come eat, Sam was feeling bad about eating out of turn and helped tidy up with the ladies. We spent the whole night with the family and it was a highlight of the trip so far!

S: It was great, sitting with the family eating and drinking with them, a true insight to their lives. Oh and of course drinking beer the local way lol. One of the guys had had a belly full of beer and disappeared and the other men were laughing making sick actions. You really don't need to talk the same language to have a great time and enjoy each other's company.

J: Oh and Sam got schooled by one of the local ladies in a drinking competition which they all found really funny.

S: I'd like to say I was being nice and let her win but she really did drink fast lol.

On the early morning walk to the bus station we saw all the local monks walking the streets receiving their daily offerings from the town folk.

J: I wanted to give the monks something but didn't have food and Sam thought it could be rude to give them money so we just watched.