Have now arrived in Laos. Despite finding out we couldn't get a direct bus from China we made it across the boarder in less than 24hours! It also only took us 5 bus journeys. Our first bus (full of men) took us through the mountain valleys and alongside the river. The scenery was amazing, green tree covered mountains. The villanges are all wooden and most of the houses built on stilts with oxes and pigs walking round unerneath. We saw watermelons growing in the fields as we drove past as well. Across the boarder we took a mini truck/bus to Luang Nam Tha (along with about 6 huge sacks of garlic and chilli sauce?!) The change from the buste of china was quite amazing - everything is very laid back here. Some of the roads have yet to be tarmaced so we had to take detours into the villages, there is little traffic on any of the roads. We even saw ladies this morning sweeping the dust from the side of the road with brooms made of twigs. Its already about 30ish degrees so we didn't even bother to pay the extra 1pound for a hot shower! The mosquitoes are evil though and have already been bitten about 3 times! Hoping to go trekking into the surrounding valley tomorrow or wednesday with Katy and Kirsty who arrive today. Louise xxx