I'm just on the boat again after our overnight stay with the low and highland villagers, also known as the Komi and Hmong people.

From the Mekong river, the Pak Ngeum village is a short up hill trek to- passing bits of jungle and general waste land. It was exacrtly how one can imagine athird world to be. The only way I can convey what I saw on my journey is by explainingand emphasising just how bad the stentch of sewage was that was mixed in with the soil we had to walk on, how loud the buzzing of all sorts of bugs and insects was and finally (beyondf their smiling/humble faces) just how dirt-stained the bare feet of those small, timid Loatian children were- shoes were pretty much a none existant luxury here. I don't want to undercredit the village- it wasn't a s*** hole in many ways, as I'll lead on to...

At the house me, Sara, Pippa and Hannah stayed at, the rooms were spacious and clean with such a welcoming and family feel. This made sense as the family who lived in the pink house were made up on a married couple and their three beautiful children: two boys (one the eldest child and the other the youngest) and one girl who was the middle-aged child.- I couldnt catch any of their names as language was a great barrier. The little Loation I had learnt (hello and thankyou) wouldn't stretch me far in the best of circumstances but even more so in this village as according to Wat, the low and high land people each have their own seperate language of Komi and Hmong. Interesting stuff huh?

The mother of my family had kindly made each of us girls up a bed and had laid out mosquito nets for our return home after a tour of the village and a school lesson with the children. It was a lovely set up- she even got up at 5am this morning to relight the candle she had left out for us so we had some light to get ready and leave for the boat.

Anyway, so more about what we got up to...

When we first arrived, Wat and Kim gave us some time to freshen up and adjust to our sourroundings before whisking us off on a walkinh tour the area that was not so alien to them but a complete culture shock to us. It didn't take long before we were all chatting and familiarising ourselves with the locals (mainly the kids) who were stood on the dirt paths outside of their huts and shacks watching us intently as we made our way to their local village school.

My impressions of the village as we toured through was, everything was rally dense and on such a small and basic scale. There was something definitely surreal, sad and yet enrichingly beautiful about it all and about the experience.

Later in the evening, we all gathered to eat some home-cooking food put on a number of villagers (including the mother at my pink house). The food is similiat to that on the slow boat I had, which I forgot to mention, lot of veg, chicken, rice, chillies, spices- with bottles of water to keep us hydrated in the humidity.

After dinner then it was time to re visit one of the local schools- only this time, the local village children would join us (and some parents too) as we had bought presents to give them as well as a scheduled lesson in maths and english. (Yes I was going to teach the poor children some invaluable lesson) The concept was amazing, but I soon learnt myself that I am no teacher haha.

My group of students was shared with Jason too. Our job was to teach then a select part of the english alphabet- along with the other groups doing the same, then at the end we would join together to all read each learned section of the alphabet to make a collective tune. Mine and Jason's group had the task of learning 'H,I,J,and K' - some got it, but one girl didn't seem capable or even interested in engaging- so what do I do with that??! Another girl Krung 12, was aced it, so I can't complain!

Teaching session over, Off to bed! I slept a little but jumped at every single sound or movement I thought I sensed.

Now back on the boat for a further 12 hour journey along the Mekong, I've just had breakfast and wer're on route to the Laos/Thailand boarder (three hours in). - If I'm honest, I wish it would speed up! Most people are asleep or keeping to themselves. I have a headache (malaria tabs working). I need to take a paracetamol and get myself back to sleep- I'm sure that'll work.

Also, me and Emily have been discussing a potenial trip to see her out in Washington when I'm in the states- I can't wait for that. My tour around Asia is going so incredibly fast, I like everyone too!

Luckily a few of us are staying on to do some Thailand island hopping after the tour so it's likely I'll get a chance to see them or even travel along with them. I think Marcus, Jason, Charlie and Hannah are all doing the Full Moon Party. Hannah already has her accommodation booked on Koh Phangnan so me and Pippa, as it stands, are looking at going to stay with her for the night.

We're also missing out Lopburi now as I don't think the sunflowers will be in season and it's just pointless... The place Pip's dad recommended (Hua Hin) might be on the cards instead. It's meant to be lovely but we'll see about money nearer the time.

*Must check account balances and get a paracetamol ASAP!