29 March - 1 April

I wish we had taken the time out and spent a few days in Stung Treng. It was a lovely relaxed place off the tourist trail. It was so sleey and the people were very warm and friendly.

We caught a bus from Stung Treng to the border and then caught two more buses and a boat to Don Khong, the largest of nearly 4,000 islands in the middle of the Mekong in southern Laos.

The island had about 10,000 inhabitants and was 32km in diameter. It had about ten guesthouses on it with riverside terraces. I loved Don Khong, I was glad we came here. It was very relaxing as there wasn't mush to do.

For two days Adam and I hired a motorbike and explored the island from all sides. It was an excellent way to see local life.

Don Khong was a place we went to help clear my thoughts. Our next stop was Don Det, no doubt the most difficult place for me to revisit. It was where I wanted to scatter Mark's ashes when he died, but I didn't have the time or the guts to do so. It was his favourite place in the entire world apart from his home.