We were up at 0530 as Paul wanted to take part in the alms giving ceremony, whereby 60/70 local monks walk down the street collecting sticky rice and food from the villagers. They rely on alms to eat and drink as they live a very harsh and Spartan existence. Women are not allowed to talk to them or come into contact with them, so Marion stood across the road as they all filed past in complete silence while Paul filled their bowls with sticky rice and snacks whic...

Hello everyone, We are now in Luang Prabang, Laos. We flew from Krabi to Bangkok on Thursday, stayed overnight near the airport and flew from Bangkok to Laos on Friday. This is a lovely city and a World Heritage site. You can see evidence of French colonialism everywhere. The Laos staff in the hotel can't do enough for us and are so sweet, friendly and helpful. There is a shuttle bus into town, which saves walking across the man made bamboo bridge! Rickety isn't...