early morning wake up to go to bus station. just missed monks morning alme collections. just saw a few in the distance. very bumpy ride in bus with beds only. quite uncomfortable. nice scenery. dozens of chinese students joined the bus which was hugely crowded. got across border alright but just after me the officials went for dinner. had to wait an hour for others. dinner with nice and interesting chinese girl. from here on, roads were better. initially even per...

quiet breakkie on river. walk to eye hospital but no one there, ie no doctor or english speaking person. head on to uxo museum. incredible stories. same docu movie as in vientiane. met monk on way back. showed me around his temple. second attempt to meet someone at eye hospital, no success. might try again later. was finally successful. onteresting chat with two only ophthalmologists. we'll see how to proceed. trip across mekong to rural area opposite lp.

changed guest house for little less money. very pretty little street south of centre near mekong. breakkie on riverside, really nice. discovering beautiful town and little side streets. wonderful architecture. bought onward ticket to kunming. night sleeper bus, 24 hrs! went swimmimg with monks in afternoon. cool guys. more discovering town.

morning bus trip to luang p. awesome scenery a few hrs norh of vieng chang. awesome mountains and old villages. arrived late, found nice accom. wander around town in evening. awesome.

guesthouse change after breakfast. expensive ($26!) place given the noise. next guesthouse heaps better with river view and a fraction of price. bike hire and set out to hills and caves. what a beautiful place!!! despite (again) all the drunken and stoned backpackrs. coulnd't help noticing the cow dung smell. reminded me of switzerland. altjough limestone mountains and rice paddies give a somehow surreal (is the swiss version the only real?) note, the smell of co...