Luang Prabang is one of the prettiest cities in Asia, it is UNESCO heritage listed. It really was quite pretty, a mix of architecture, lots of temples and mountains and near rivers. But we were a bit uninspired by it all (herds of gappers and yet more handicraft stalls) and we spent a good few days doing little but eating very budget nice food and Christmas shopping. We 'stayed another day' (the slogan aimed at tourists here in Laos is 'stay another day') to give...

Having flown (if you don't mind) from Cambodia, another ridiculously ill-prepared border crossing - this time, no passport photos despite having had to rip the one out of my international driving permit to get into Cambodia - luckily they let us cut the photos out of our very high tech Angkor Wat passes.We later found out a dollar bribe would have worked too - how differently are you treated when you arrive by plane? Or was it something to do with this famous Lao...