Si Phan Don - 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th November

Found a hostel on Don Khong straight away (Don Khone guesthouse and got the best room with a river view) and chilled out for the next 3 days, lapping up the river views and scenery and loving the fact it was VERY quiet with hardly any traffic at all. The small 'strip' of restaurants and hotels was about 5 long so got stuck into our reading material up on the hostel veranda and down by the riverside bar.

Most tourists down there were French though which was obviously a joy given their traditional like of the English, sunny natural disposition and the fact that absolutely none of them smoked at all hours of the day. Most tourists were also in their late 50's or 60's so also reminded us of the Isle of Wight a bit, although not as many blue rinses or glass factories (yes Mother and Father Guerrieria, I'm still scarred by that trip).

Hired bikes (well, lady bikes with a low crossbar and basket) one day and went for a cycle round a bit of the island, but was sweltering by 10am so we had to give up. We still haven't recovered from our mountain biking endeavours in Thailand as had sore backsides after half an hour as well - damn those torture seats. Most of the island is given up to rice cultivation so not a hell of a lot to see anyway.

Decided to check out two more of the islands the next day so took a longboat over to Don Khon (just missing a 'g') and got a hostel there before cycling over the small bridge to Don Det. These two islands definitely had a bit more going on although still quiet compared with the rest of Laos. Plenty more restaurants and a few shops thrown in and the scenery was equally stunning. Some of the tourists on these two are even non-geriatrics as well which was a bonus.

If you plan coming over to Laos, definitely check these islands out - have been recommending them to everyone we've seen since.

Almost too chilled out after 4 days here so resolved to cross the border and head to Kratie back in Cambodia the next day.