Hey everyone, have just arrived in the capital of Laos known as Vientiane. Its very small and i reckon half a day on a push bike and this place will be ticked off. Left Luang Prabang on thursday after a relaxing day swimming in the mekong river with crista and mark and sight seeing on some bikes we had hired. Main tip would be not to ever order the 'meat paradise of Luang Prabang' when in a restaurant here! I mean im up for most things but when hungry a plate full of dried buffalo skin is not what you need. After that headed through Laos to Vang Veing on a 5hr bus journey through the mountains. Vang Veing is a small but an up and coming town with a strip with bars, internet cafes and guest houses. In five years time its defo gonna be the khao San road of Laos (shame). Its was good fun though as it was a bit of a backpackers paradise! However, venture further down to the river and you see the real Vang Veing. Set just a few meters from the river and the truley spectacular mountain scenery, woodsy and i stayed in a one room bungalow for just $2 a night! While here we met some cool folk in james and amy! James infact worked and lived in exeter and amy actually served behind the cliffton inn in heavitree (again what a small world). Best part of this place was the day trip involving tubing through caves, Kayaking down the river and a huge swing over the river which defo gets the adrenalin goin. Was a really cool day and good to chill out with a few 'beer laos'. Seriously the beer here is good! Here in vientiane we are just about to be picked up by my old RE teacher. Good old dave is coming along soon so i better go. Probably gonna spend only one night here before we get our killer 24 hr bus journey to Hanoi in Vietnam. Hope all is good, keep me posted as always! Will update again when in vietnam! alex x