For a poor country Laos seems very modern with good infrastructure. A benefit from all the foreign aid it receives. We've travelled the country by minibus on some very windy roads through jungle covered hills- luckily there is very little traffic as we spend a lot of time on the wrong side of the road! We really enjoyed a few days in laid back Vang Vieng- on the banks of a tributary to the Mekong River surrounded by tall rocky cliffs. We explored some caves (1 ...

This is a complex part of the world. There are heavy influences from China and in turn Russia. To balance this the USA spent a lot of time and money here in the past. Three disturbing things we have experienced here. The first was quick, we were walking past the market at the Vientiane bus station and stumbled across two stalls selling rhino horn. Yes rhino, the worldwide protected, CITES listed rhino. If you look at the photo you will agree it is undoubtedly r...

Craig celebrated his birthday in Bangkok. We treated ourselves to stay in a lovely self catering apartment with a nice pool and restaurant on site (& a launderette that we made the most of! ) The apartment was huge and it was nice to cater for ourselves. Craig enjoyed a trip to one of Asia's largest markets on his birthday;-) Before a cooling off dip in the hotel pool (it was very hot - about 36 degrees) and a lovely meal in the restaurant. Whilst in Bangko...