After the nightmare with our Vietnamese visa's we decided we needed to go somewhere with a relaxed pace of life & beach, so we headed to Don Det one of the 4000 Islands group that are situated in the widest part of the Mekong River, Southern Laos. Plus Casey who we'd been travelling for a while with was also there. So we hopped on an overnight sleeper bus from Vientiane that actually had double bed cabins complete with pillows, duvets, free food & drink ready for our journey south. We slept like babies, which was well needed after we'd already been on the road for over 48hrs. To be honest this bus gave the South American first class coaches a run for its money.

On the bus we met a nice couple from the UK, Martin & Helen & also Joe from Colchester. So after catching the long tail boat from the main land (which was packed - double its capacity - close to sinking) we all headed off to find a bungalow for the next few days. Most of the accommodation on the island is real basic but I did insist to East that we have a proper toilet because squatting at the best of times is not an easy task let alone after a few drinks! We still only paid 35000 kip (£3.50) each per night & it also came with a fan & double hammocks on the terrace…bargain!!

Because of the nightmare of the last few days, and at last feeling settled we agreed that a few afternoon drinks were defiantly on the cards. Arranging to meet Helen, Martin, Joe & Casey at Reggae Bar we had a great afternoon chatting, chilling & drinking beers in the sun - with East constantly insisting that we play Ring Of Fire - "but babes its only 3pm, we'll play after dinner we promise"! So after a beaut Indian meal at Jasmine's, our tummy's were full, & we were set for the drinking games… Easton & Joe both had different sets of rules so after much compromising from both parties we came up with a cracking set and the games started! Whilst this was going on Martin had already been and come back from the shop with a big bottle of Whiskey, Redbull & coke and had even managed to nab a bucket & shots glasses from one of the bars…we were set!! Cracking night, loads of laughs had by all & it seemed like East & Martin were always accidently on purpose having shot penalties for foul language or bad jokes. Everyone was pretty merry by the end of the night - Great first day on the Island!!

The main attraction on the 4000 Island is too hire bikes and cycle around Don Det across the bridge to Don Khon, the neighboring island in search of the rare Irrawaddy Dolphins! So after a morning swim in the clear waters of the Mekong to wash away the hangover & a chill on the beach, East, Joe & I set off on the 10km bike ride. The boys did look great on their pink bikes with little baskets on the fronts, but as we managed to get them for free they couldn't complain! The scenery was beautiful and I was so surprised how turquoise the water was considering we were on the river. On the way to the dolphins we stopped off at Tat Somphamit Waterfall for a few pic's and refreshments. When we arrived at Long Beach it was around 4pm, perfect time to take the 1hour long tail boat out to the Cambodian border in search and see one of only 20 dolphins in the area. The ride out across the water alone was worth the 25,000 kip (£2) each. Our driver moored up alongside a large rock where a small group had already congregated for the dolphin spotting. Some of the guys were having a swim & told us to jump in, lie on our backs with our ears under the water…omg…you could hear the dolphins calling but they sounded like they were only about a meter below you even though they were about 50mts away. We were lucky enough to see quite a few swimming around & Joe wanted to get up close & personal with them, so he swam out about 100mts from where we were moored - but our guide started shouting "No Cambodian visa must come back - immigration police coming for you" which everyone found hilarious as we were in the middle if the river! On the journey back the sun was just starting to set and the colours in the sky were amazing - great photo opportunity!

That night we met back up with the gang for yet another Indian, as the food was so good even though swarms of mozzies & a couple of cockroaches seemed to have joined the party it didn't put us off. East wasn't impressed and found a hammer on the counter incase the little bleeders came near us - they actually crawled onto his shoulder but hammering himself wasn't a good idea - leave that to the beer. But hey we were in an island on the river after all. Back to Reggae bar for some more chilled cocktails before a few of us headed to the beach for a bonfire & and more homemade cocktails! A great couple of days & hoping to meet back up with everyone on the coast in Sihanoukville very soon!!