Merry Christmas from Laos! It took two full days on the slow (and crowded) boat from Thailand, up the Mekong to Luang Prabang. The journey was actually very pleasant with lovely scenery and the occasional stop in a small remote village to drop off or pick up the odd passenger.

Luang Prabang is a wonderfully serene little city. Having arrived in the early evening on Christmas Eve with nowhere to stay, I decided to splurge and treat myself to a really nice guest house for the Holiday. I found an very charming place with wood floors, marble bath, sat. tv, breakfast etc. for $40...a fortune considering the night before I had a perfectly adequate, clean place for just $6. However, now I have found that most everywhere is full for the next few days. I'm stuck with luxury, oh well...

Tonight I am having Christmas dinner, Turkey, with an Irish couple I met on the boat. Should be good "crack".