Journey from Laos into Thailand via the Chiang Kong border after Muang Sing hilltribe homestay.... Left Luang Namtha midday ish afer enjyoing a free hot shower in a cafe in Luang Namtha (was in desperate need after cycling and village homestay!!). The travel shop had told me the bus was at 1.30pm so I arrived at the bus station about 12.45 and was told the bus actually left 15 mins ago...and there wasnt another until tomorrow. Was absolutely gutted as meant I had...

I left Luang Namtha on Tues 15th Nocv midday, solo, heading further north in Laos, for a place called 'Muang Sing', described in my guide book as a 'full on backpackers haven' with wonderful guesthouses and perfect for trecking and hilltribe village stays. Was very excited to arrive in this wee place, however when arrived off the short 2 hour bus jounrey, it was a very very small little down with very dindgey accomodation ha! Hadnt pre booked accomodation so walk...

Well!! The drive from Luang Prabang to Luang Namtha beat them all! THIS WAS THE CRAZIEST YET!!! Crazy pot holed roads as usual, winding around the mountians, but pair that with a crazy angry formula 1 wannabe Lao driver and it wasnt good!!!! 9 hours took 7.5 in the end, so we had that to thank him for, but gee mee, few very close calls a few times with massive lorries etc, was an awful jounrey all in all! Was very relieved, and surprised to arrive in one peice! T...

The bus from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang took 7.5 hours and again was just crazy winding, mountainous roads full of pot holes! It seems that is just the way Laos roads are ha! Again it was breathtaking scenery across the mountains, forests, roadside shacks etc. Arrived at Luang Prabang bus station, which again was good few km out of the centre, as it was 7.30pm and dark I shared a tuk tuk with a few other people and got dropped off in the cnetre of town. I hadnt...

The bus from the capital of Laos (Vientiane) to Vang Vieng took 4 hours, and was the bumpiest and most windy journey ever! The roads literally just wind around the moutain, there is 1 main road up through Laos and this is it - crazy! Full of pot holes, just crazy. The one good thing in Laos driving is that unlike Cambodia and Vietnam the drivers dont continuisly beep at other drivers to let them know they are there, so it was a bumpy - but quiet journey! The driv...