Laos, interesting experience to get here, but very beautiful so far. We left the 'comfort' of our guest house in Chiang Rai and caught a bus to the bordering town between Thailand and Laos. Armed with a bag full of soaking wet clothes, our attempt to airdry them wasn't pulled off with any sort of success!! We stayed overnight in the border town and the next day we caught a tuk-tuk to the customs at the border. Little did we know that this was the time of the year for the annual Song Kran festival, a festival that involves throwing large quantities of water - on everyone!! So half an hour later, soaked to the bone, pack, books and all, we get to the customs desk, get our stamp and board yet another form of transport. The boat journey takes 2 days. To provide an accurate description of the 'boat', it is a wooden vessel with no standing space, the seats are made from wood, measure about 1/2 metre long by 10cm wide, 2 to a seat. The toilet is located at the back of the boat and goes straight into the water, a squat toilet, very good balance required!! We stopped off half way and spent the night at an unknown destination. We were offered all manner of drugs here, including opium, to which we turned down. Nasty!! Our guest house had some things written on the wall, one thing in particular that stands out, 'watch out for the big rat'. Needless to say it was a pretty restless night as we were both paranoid of this gigantic rat that was going to come out at night and bite us!! We woke up feeling a touch of frustration .. knowing that I had to endure the second half of the arduos boat journey. Alas, we have arrived in one piece. It is good to be here and also to see some other western faces!