We got up at 5am to get to the riverbank in Muang Khua and catch a little fishing boat over to the other side where the bus would be leaving at 7. When we left the guesthouse it was still dark, we found a place to sit at the riverbank. As soon as it was light enough we realised that the river had risen quite considerably over night, so much so that an entire island where some of the local boats moor had entirely disappeared! A nice local who could speak broken English managed to convey the fact that the boats couldn't cross until the water had gone down so we went for breakfast and kept our fingers crossed. We were eventually put on a boat and once on the other side we met the bus that would take us to Dien Bien Phu. Lots of weary looking passengers got off and it turned out they had spent the night on the bus (they had taken over 24hrs when the journey is only 3hrs) as the roads were so badly flooded.... but, our journey was fine! A few scarey moments getting through high fast flowing rivers but we made it to Vietnam in good time and the boarder was the easiest we have crossed so far. The scenery along the way was breathtaking and it was exciting to drive through no mans land - 3km of land that is neither owned by Laos or Vientam. One of the guards in the boarder office even let us take a picture of a statue of Ho Chi Minh!

It was a long journey though and meant we stayed 2 nights in Dien Bien Phu rather than 1, we needed to recouperate! The boarder we crossed has not been open very long so the people in Dien Bien Phu aren't used to seeig tourists, made for some funny walks and one great meal in a restaurant with the locals one night. We also spent one afternoon drinking in a local place where we had our first taste of "Bia Hoi". It is fresh beer that only lasts 24 hours and the best thing about it is that it cost us 6000 Dong a glass, about 16p! The locals eat piles of fresh monkey nuts, throwing the shells on the floor, we were both in our element for that afternoon and the locals loved the fact that we were doing what the locals do - good times!

Our next stop is Hanoi (Vietnam's capital) and we are really looking forward to being in a city again!