Arrived in Luang Prabang a few days ago. Went kyaking on the Mekong yesterday afternoon and managed to capsize at one point and ruin one of the cameras... no real drama (it was Stu's camera) and at least we didn't consume too much river water. We went on an elephant ride in the morning which was interesting enough, but the elephants looked pretty depressed. Have been having a laos-style massgae every other day - it is an interesting technique, which involves pressure points and calculated blows (not happy finish). It's like street fighting but you pay good money. We are due to head of to Vieng Veng tomorrow, which is meant to be even more laid back than this place. From there we intend to do a trek into the hill tribes, then on to Vientiane to buy a new camera.

Vientiane is a watershed for us, we will be a fair way through our trip, at our second capital city in Asia, and about to board Air Laos to Hanoi.

Wish us luck.

We will have more time and technology to post in Vientiane.

Late new year's weigh in for chesneau - 76kg. Reg did you see Cardiff vs Southend? Traore won the champions league don't you know.

emma and stuart