Day 5 - Breakfast at the Tadlo Lodge overlooking the elephants having a morning wash in the river. After checking out we asked if we could hitch a lift to the main road to catch the bus which we eventually found out ran every hour. Unfortunately a lift was not forthcoming as the women wished us good luck in her best english, not a good sign! So the 2km 'hike' started at 0845 and it was already steaming hot!

1/2 an hour later we arrived at the so called bus stop where we got chatting to some young Germans on their travels, one of which lives with an English bloke in Melbourne. They were defo German after we heard them haggle down 5p on the coach ride to Pakse.

When we got off the bus it was our first chance to haggle properly and we got a tuk tuk ride from the bus station back to the Pakse Hotel for a good price (i think!) The woman at reception remembered Chris as "Kiss Back" so no dramas checking in. We then went for a wander around town and next to the Mekong where Chris got asked to play drinking petanque with the locals.

Our next mission was to get some cash from the ATM, 6 million kip to be precise to pay for the ecolodge where we will be for the next 5 days. Probably the only time we'll be millionaires!!

Bit of lunch at a street vendor as we continue to check off the local dishes, again, so much better than food at home. It was then onto the subject of trying to work out how to get to Kiet Ngong village tomorrow to then get to the ecolodge. We think we have it worked out but who knows really as the buses seem to leave at different times and places depending on who you ask! Another trip to the Southern Bus Station to stare blankly until someone helps us!

Once back at the hotel it was up to the rooftop restaurant / bar for a drink and to take some panoramic shots to hopefully get blown up to put on the wall at home (no, not replacing the hockey and cricket photos).

A table booked for 7pm for dinner and it was still about 25 degrees which didn't help as Chris ordered a 'hot' dish but it was fantastic and it was only polite to help Alice finish hers! 163,000kip = £12 for 4 large beers, a starter and 2 large main courses, er, yes please!

At the ecolodge for the next 5 days and I guess by the title they won't have wifi. So for you constant blog readers it could be disappointment for a few days! 2 days at the lodge then a trek with canoeing before staying the night with a local village family in their home before back to the lodge for 2 more nights.