Considering it is the capital city, there is a significant lack of stuff in Vientiane. We arrived super early off the night bus from Bangkok (a journey without event or theft this time - whoop!) and a tiny bit of sleep. We found a guesthouse fairly easily and set off on some Laos errands. The bank must be the best bank, and biggest, that we have been to in Asia. Amazingly easy to get everything done. We stopped for some breakfast, and then set off in search of the bus station, which according to the Lonely Planet map was only 2km away, score.

An hour later, and no nearer the bus stop, we asked several people for directions. We had walked 2km in the right direction and were still 6km away. Interesting place to be in. We stopped for some pineapple, fresh off the cart, deliberated our situation, then gave in and got a tuk tuk. On arrival, we found out you can't book bus tickets in advance there, only on the day. So home we went. Time well spent, clearly.

The evening was spent wandering around the night market, and still a bit addicted to buying things for the house, we picked up some art, noodle soup for dinner, and were home in bed in time for a few hands of Deal in our amazing dorm, we will never find another like it! Super comfy beds, AC, masses of space, no bunk beds, just queen sized singles, and apart from Laura being flashed by another resident early in the morning it was a dream.

The second day was spent a little more wisely and cultured, on another fabulous walking tour given by Miss Teague. We saw the few sites that Vientiane has to offer, the textiles market, a few Wats, the Presidential Palace and a wonderful walk along the Mekong where we could still see Thailand on the other bank. The weather was fantastic and we have a really good feeling that we are going to love Laos!