Luang Prabang couldn't have been more different to Vang Vieng, it is probably Laos' most gorgeous city. It used to be the Royal capital of Laos and most of the buildings date from this time. The buddhist monks here walk the street outside the main temple from 6am in the morning to receive "alms" from the locals. They walk along collecting balls of sticky rice as an offering, a site not to be forgotten - westerners are asked not to be involved in the ancient ritual unless they are buddhist so we watched from afar and took photos on zoom.

Luang Prabang is in Northern Laos and the difference in the landscape is amazing. We keep saying that scenery is breathtaking but hopefully thye pictures we took will show it partial justice. This is by far the most magnificent backdrop we have stayed in.

We spent our time walking the streets, drinking the cheapest beer Laos we have found so far and eating on the riverfront watching the sunset behind the mountains. Matt managed to lose pool 5-3 to a Laos bar owner, not such a bad thing considering they must play every day!

We would have liked to have spent more time here but are aware that our visa runs out on the 19th so we need to carry on pushing north to the Vietnamese boarder. We've therefore booked a bus to Udomxai in the morning.