We were quite sad to leave Laos after our adventures there, the lovely people and great food. However, again the itinerary beckoned and the end of our trip was drawing near. The plan had always been to end on one of the Thai islands but which one? After extensive research (and gulps when we saw the prices) we eventually decided to head to Koh Kood. We flew into Bangkok and were taken out for a real Thai dinner by our friend Tony. What a treat! After a visit in ...

After our trekking and kayaking exertions we were back in Luang Prabang, and ready for some R&R. We decided to treat ourselves to a Lao massage, or should I say an 'Ow' massage. This involved two muscular Lao women stretching, twisting, pinching and needling us for an hour whilst we politely grimaced through the pain. We're still recovering from the massage a week later. ~Chris

We arrived in the small village of Nong Khiaw from Luang Prabang at around midday. We strolled into town (actually we staggered into town under the weight of our immense backpacks) trying to find accommodation. Nong Khiaw immediately impressed us. It is surrounded by huge limestone karsts and the village sits alongside the pretty Nam Ou river. We crossed the river by foot into the adjoining village of Ban Sop Houn. After much haggling and to-ing and fro-i...

Still filled with the wonders of Angkor Wat we arrived in Luang Prabang in the evening. A pleasantly cool temperature enveloped us as we stepped off the plane into a very small airport. The visa process went surprisingly smoothly (all my worries had been for nothing). Strangely each country pays a different visa fee and if you are Swiss you can enter for free. Having secured a taxi we were then promptly dropped in the night market and told that our hotel was 'som...

We caught a long-tailed boat to Siem Reap from Battambang on 4 December 2012, leaving shortly after sunrise. The boat ride was noisy and hot but the backdrop of rural Cambodian river life was beautiful and interesting. As we motored up the Tonle Sap and away from Battambang we saw families living in or along the river in simple floating villages, houseboats or stilt houses. I couldn't imagine how it would be to live such a remote life and to grow up on the water....