OK, this picture isn't Vang Vieng but we haven't got any on the site yet and I liked it!We left Luang Prabang on the 15th and headed south to Vang Vieng, an uncomfortable five hour minivan journey. The journey was not only uncomfortable because we were not allowed air conditioning, but also because it was mostly through the mountains, so for five hours we were thrown from side to side as our driver sped through the mountains with sheer drops to the side o...

After the long boat journey we eventually arrived in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang is renowned to be the most beautiful city in Laos. It is situated between the Mekong and the Khan river and the ancient city was awarded the UNESCO stamp in 1995. Due to the UNESCO status, new buildings have been limited and development must be inkeeping with the surrounding beauty.We arrived in Luang Prabang just in time for the New Year celebrations. Basically this involved throwi...

Leaving Chiang Mai on the 10th we headed to Laos, seemingly not too far away on the map and with relatively easy border crossings we thought. In reality though, the options for crossing into Laos are like choosing between a slow and painful death or a quick one.First of all you can fly from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, probably a short two hour flight and only about sixty pounds, but the downside to this is that the only airline who make the flight are Laos Airli...

After Sukothai we took the overnight to Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is in the north of Thailand and is renowned for its 300 temples and jungle trekking.After visiting Ayuthya, Sukothai and Bangkok we were feeling a little templed out. We did however visit 3 of the most famous temples here which were very nice. We were able to see some young monks being ordaned in one of them which was great to see. When we arrived they had already had their heads shaven and were weari...

After picking up our Vietnam visas at 9.45am (luckily the lady gave them to us fifteen minutes early), we had 65 minutes to get across the city to the train station, buy tickets, get food and get on the train. Previous experience of getting taxis in Bangkok told us this wouldn't happen, as normally you have to argue with the taxi driver to get him to put the meter on, then explain to him how to get where you are going, as none of them seem to be able to read ...