Hi All

Im back from the middle of nowhere, I have been on some islands that were at the very bottom of Laos and they were amazing i have never been to any where so pretty. I was staying in a place called Pakse which is treally just a town next to lots of bustations. I i get on a bus and end up at a boat station whereme and 6 other people get on a boat and head out to the middle of the mekong which is now about 14km wide with lots of islands in the middle. I arrive on a perfet little island between some cute bungalow. i managed to find one that cost 1 ound a night what a bargin and it was right on the water so whei sat in my hammock and looked over the side of the balcony that i had i was looking straight down in to the water how amazing (not to make anyone jellous or anything but you would all have loved this) it was so relaxing that i fell asleep in the hammock for and hour. i decided that the rest of the da i would relax and do nothing except read and listen to my ipod. so that is what i did. Going to sleep was early as they turn the electric of at 9 (they only have electric from 6 to 9) so i went to sleep.

The next day (loosing track of the days think this was Friday??) i hired a bike and went to see a waterfull, well wasnt reall one waterfall there were lots more like rapids than waterfalls and it was so pretty and the noise was defening if you go to close. at the end there was a beach that i had a resta bit to hot for me so went in the shade. After looking at the waterfalls again i decided to go to one of the villages that did dolphine watching, was not that far and was a nice ride when i got there there were charging quite a bit to see the dolphines so decided not to go as you had to pay for the boat and if you have lots of people you could devide to cost but no one was about except a lady who had already seen them. Talking to the lady she said that the next village that was 3km away did the same tour for half the price. so after a refreshing drink i went to try and get the the other village, it was an ok ride till the stones got to big that i had to push the bike but it was well worth it. they had a little dock where you could go for swim which i did and there were loads of fish everywhere. while i was there i bumped in to two guys who were going to go and see the dolhines so i went with them and it hardly cost anything. Isaw lots of they they are this really rare bread that you can only find here in Laos. i didnt manage to get any pictures as they didnt come to the surface that often and when they did i was to late in taking the photo.

the trip back oh my Buddha i dicided not to head the way i can to avoid the bid stones in the road and i got to a bridge. well i dont think you cn call it a bridge it was mage from train tracks where the gaps were 1 foot abart and they had holes in where the metal had rusted away. was just about to turn back as i had my bike with me and there was no way i was going to be able to carry it with me, when a local girl picked up my bike with the greatest of ease and walked over with it. i had trouble walking on my own with out the bike sogod no \s how she did it with the bike. So i was across and carried on cycling. the lads i me earlyer had caugt up with me and were just a head when they stopped and laughed there was another bridge but worse than the first it had a 10 foot drop to the bridge them a trntrack half intack to the other side then a 10 foot climbe up the other side. eventually we made it but if i had of been on my own i would have been stuck in the middle till some one came along.

Well aqnoth bike riding for the time being my legs hurt. This was going to be my last night on Don Khone before i moved over to Don Det the next island slightly more livlier. there were alot more people on this island and the music when on late, i met quite a few people that were travelling from all parts of the world and went do dinner with some. some had only been travelling for a few weeks and others for months and months. After another day of rest the last day on the island i hired a bike and went to explore this island, it was a lot smaller so went to have lunch at the waterfall. the resturant that i stayed in was lovely they kept chopping up coconuts for me to drink and eat (i dont like coconut felt so bad that i drunk it anywhay really was not nice) and i tryed all this wonderfull fruit that i had never seen before. finally after a 3 hour lunch i need to get back to my bungalow to sleep. but first a quick swim in the mekong.

I have now left the island but i want to come back so i will have to organise another trip in a few years to come back. Dad its a shame its to far from Bangkok as i would have taken you there when you visit.

Well have to go i am catching an overnight bus to Vientene tonight so that i can travel the north might do some treking but after last time im not sure will have to see.

Off for a massage now, have fun at work all of you lol

Leanne xxxxxxx