3rd 9th August New month new country. We had some time to spare after leaving Vietnam so we decided to enter Laos, Vientiane, whiich is the capital of laos. After just one day to recover from the journey across land by bus, We decide to hire a motorbike for one week and go North to the mountains which we were told are the most spectacular in Laos and superb roads for motorbikes mmh the mountains were spectacular but not so sure of the roads. We had to avoid the local life ie Pigs, Cows and Kids, virtually on every bend if we were lucky we only found the Odd pot hole or two or even a lorry on the wrong side of the road avoiding potholes on his side.. This made our travel journies very long but we would stop to stretch our legs and rubb some blood back into our bums. We had the most amazing time ever... On our first day we completed 156Km to VanVieng "not far you say" but it took around 6hrs.. We stop on the bridge of River Lik to watch local fisherman at work. They either stand waist height in the water throwing out nets and hauling them back in with what ever they have managed to capture, or the clever ones were hanging nets across the dam so as to catch anything that came past.. The weather is closing in now and we still have another 30km to go.. We didn't make it though the clouds opened and we were drenched within minutes arriving at the first available guest house like drown rats the girls just stand and laugh at us. They laugh even louder when off come the helmets and they see 2 Old grey Gappers standing in front of them. Well we can take a joke eh!! but I wish they would stop laughing now!! Day 2 Van Vieng - Luang Prabang 165Km We started our day first visiting the local caves, we should have done this yesterday but the weather was against us. We visited 2 caves in the area by means of boat and guide to take us through rice fields and up mountain side before finding the cave Entrance. We leave the bike with an old lady from the village (another one with black teeth!!) she smiles very nicely and holds out her hand for a $1 Hire a boat to take us over the river liturately on the other riverbank He wanted $2 each mmh we can see this is going to be expensive.. Oh and the guide is waiting on the river bank didnt discuss money at this stage. He takes us around rice fileds. over little streams and sty's eventually we arrive at a little shop Oh there's another little man who wants a $1 each for head torches. I proudly show him I have one already (because I read up on these things first)) He promptly charges Mark $2 for one head torch.. We really dont mind, these guys have nothing no income apart from us.., Our first cave is Tham Loup the entrance is about 15mtrs high into the rock face as we enter we switch on our head torches and the bats go wild..!! These caves are breathtaking. Watching our footing as well as whats around as we jouney into the depths of the cave, it is very challenging, We are slipping and sliding all over the place ducking to avoid Stalagtites which have been growing over centuries un touched by tourist.. The cave goes in about 10mtrs before we find a river passing through. we do not go any further, the guide says maybe they will have a local boat passing deeper into the cave,(I hope not!!) Tham Hoi The second cave is just as mind blowing as the first and even more dificult to get to. Both caves visited. We return back to the river for our paddle across. mhh not before paying the guide He ask for $10 each these guys arent silly!! No Way we pay much smaller he begrudgingly accpets it!! We are now back on the bike Hwy 13 to Prabang This is the most beautiful road I have ever seen Hair pin bends mile after mile. Nothing much else on the road so we can be free as we like stopping for photo's and taking in the mountain views.. Eventually arriving at Luang Prabang Very tired and VERY SORE!! Day 3 Luang Prabang We decide to rest here for a day lovely little town great people, We take off for a short ride to find recommended waterfall back down Hwy 13 mmh we find one that very small and not on the map. take a photo to say we have seen it and head back for town, the other waterfall is in the other direction Kuang si Waterfall now we wind our way up the mountain to the waterfall here we can swim and laze around we' re very hot and tired so we enjoy a splash.. Oh its lovely, cold but refreshing many people in swimming just like the lido on a Sunday!! Day 4 Luang Prabang - PhonSavan 235Km We knew this would be a hard day so we set off reasonably early.We head back down hwy 13 turning off onto the Hwy 7 being very careful to get it right today, This is reported to be on the edge on Bandit country so we dont take in many stop's and are very vigilant when we do.. We passby some lovely villages with kids waving and cheering at us makes us feel very humble. we stop occassionally to chat with the children walking up the mountains with their cattle or goats. We sort of communicate with lots of shrug and jestures. we leave all smiling and happy,, They are probably saying look at those 2 oddballs!! BUT we were happy!! Day 5 PhonSavan We travelled here to see the "PLAIN OF JARS" These are Jars which stand over an area of 5 miles and there is about 500 of them. They are just like Jars all different sizes some have lids on.. Nobody can give any real history on them only estimated dates of around 7th Centuary amazing place just captures the imagination, maybe they were cooking pots (cannibilism!!) or sorage or cremation pots!! Day 6 back to Vang Vieng but no caves this time!! just take in local area, and day 7 concludes a wonderful experience,, We have survived our first real expedition on our own, celebrated with a well earnt massage..