An early start today to catch our bus to Don Det island. We had to go to the restaurant where we bought our tickets so we went a bit earlier to get some breakfast first. As we were walking in, I managed to trip over somehow, so that's twice I've fallen over while carrying my backpack in the space of a week! The other time was in Kong Lo where they'd just mopped the floor in our hotel and I slipped right over.

As we were waiting, we saw a minivan go past crammed full of people with their rucksacks tied to the roof. We started to worry that we might get something similar, so were pleasantly surprised when a large coach turned up to collect us. Even better, there were only seven people on it so we had plenty of room to spread out! The journey only took about three hours, including a stop at a very nice rest stop with lots of clean toilets - normally, the toilets are pretty shocking at these sorts of places!

The bus dropped us at a small village next to the river and the driver pointed out where we needed to go to get the boat over to Don Det island. After cramming as many people as possible into the small wooden boat, we set off for the relaxing twenty minute journey down the Mekong river to the island, where we climbed out onto the beach - this will do us for a few days!

We'd splashed out a bit and booked a hotel for $35 USD per night. It was meant to be the best place to stay on the island, although there was building work going on where they're building an extension to keep up with demand! Our room was lovely and had air con plus a fan and the first mosquito net we've had so far. It was good to get out of the heat and cool off for a while before we headed out to have some food in one of the many restaurants along the one main street on the island, most of which have free wifi.

The part of the island we're on is a backpacker favourite so there's plenty of cheap beer and, of course, 'happy' options for those who wish to partake! Our food wasn't great and Dave ended up with something that he didn't really want as everything he asked for was met with a reply of 'No have'. We overheard two girls asking 'Well, what DO you have?' as they tried to order, before they walked out in exasperation! I guess it's hard to get supplies to an island like this sometimes...

In the afternoon, we had a swim in the river which is very clean and feels more like the sea. It's full of fish that nibble at your feet, just like the ones you can pay for in the Mall in Middlesbrough, but here it's free! It feels a bit strange but is funny to watch.

Then we went for a nap, planning on getting up and ready in time for the sunset...that didn't happen as we slept right through it, so we'll have to see it tomorrow! That night I wasn't feeling too good (maybe due to the dodgy food from earlier...) so we ate at our hotel and then had an early night.