To all our thousands of blog follows, sorry to have left you hanging for so long since our last up date but we have been consumed by the magic of Laos and the Lao people. So for all you avid fans here is the Laos down-low...

It all began a week ago when Sarah and I said goodbye to Vietnam and stepped foot in the country's capital Vientiane. After arriving there was nothing better to do then shout ourselves to a massage, coz what else do you do when you're on holidays. We then spent the next day exploring the city on foot. We witnessed first hand Laos attempt to build their take on the Arc De Triomphe. Motivated by the desire to piss of the French, the Lao people used cement donated by the USA to build a new airport as a chance to build an arc twice as big as the one in Paris. However no one should take on the French when it comes to beautiful monuments. Bravo for trying but its nickname as the vertical runway sums up the attitude of the public. We finished up the day by seeing many beautiful wats and drinking amazing fruit smoothies out of plastic bags. Set for a big one the next day we called it a quits.

Rising early to catch a much anticipated bus trip to Luang Prabang to see Jaz and Chris, Sarah and I had no idea we were about to experience the longest day of our lives. Starting at 8 am we didn't arrive till 9 pm, 4 hours after our expected arrival time. Half the road is unsealed, you can over take on the left or right and to warn people you are coming you simple drive with one hand on the horn the whole time! So cant say i was able to sleep on the bus. We also managed to break down in a random tiny village where we were greater by the local people and curious pig. After waiting on the side of the road for a replacement bus we were all shuffled on to the new one with the most horrendous bus driver. Firstly he stopped whenever he felt necessary for a cigarette or public pee right next to our bus window. However the worst was the hideous music that bleared out louder then an ACDC concert. Not knowing how far we had to go and pumping to Laos hottest 100 we didn't know whether to laugh or cry. But the day of torture was all worth it once we arrived. Slaying in beautiful bungalows along the Mekong the scenery and tranquility took our breath away and Sarah vowed never to leave.

After having breaky delivered to us on our balcony we sat back and watched the Mekong flow by, the local people working on the land, kids swimming and the occasional monk chasing a dog down the riverbank. We then spent the day exploring the beautiful French inspired town. We also took a tuk tuk out to the most magnificent waterfall. Flowing down, the water filled numerous lagoons. It's crisp blue colour was the perfect invitation to go swimming. However it's freezing cold temperature meant it felt like my skin was burning off so it was short lived. We finished the night shopping in the night markets and ate the most amazing noodle soup from a street store for only a dollar.

Day two in Luang Prabang was a day I had been anticipating this whole trip and one Sarah had being paying me out about for weeks. But I am not ashamed of my love for elephants, they are awesome. Finally I was going to be able to ride, wash and generally hang out with this gentle giant. Once we arrived at the elephant village we were introduced to our beautiful ladies! Our favorite, who we liked to call Nanna coz she was 78 and never been kissed! Our time with the Elephants was an amazing experience. We learnt how to ride them, went on a trek through the jungle and my personal favorite, we took them in the river and washed them! After lunch, the second part of the tour brought on a whole new feeling to our day, one which Sarah may never forget!! We were about to embark on a 4 HOUR kayak. Unaware of the challenge ahead of us we opted for single kayaks which was the worst choice of the day. After no more then 10 minutes Sarah's hate for all things kayaking came out of her like a little devil child! it took about an hour for me to be brought over to her dark side too! After been 300 meters behind the whole group all day we gave up and made our guides give up their double kayak for our singles. Life was so much worth living and Sarah became the true kayaker she was born to be. Able to take in the scenery we marveled at all the mountain and local people carrying out their daily activities along the river. The day did however end with an ungraceful capsize and sarah and myself floating down the rapids for 300 meters. Sarah with the boat in one hand and an ore in the other and me flapping behind after rescuing the camera, the river could hear our cries and laughter for miles. After getting home and drying off we finished at the night at the Utopia Bar along the Mekong.

Today brought a new adventure and a new location, Vang Veing. After a bus trip down the mountain with a bus driver that didn't care for any cow, goat, chicke, small child or crippled old men I will keep this place short. It involved a lot of buckets, a river tube ride, Friends and Family Guy and a lot of mud. We had an amazing as bazar experience but after 3 nights we were edging to get out and when the whole town had a power out just as we were leaving we took that as a sign.

Sarah and i had a very romantic Valentines day together back in Vientiane, mainly because Sarah found a jar of Vegimite! We then farewell Laos and set of for Hanoi, Vietnam.

We arrived in Hanoi last night to Hotel Charming and yes it has lived up to its name!! Loving it. Today we had the plesure of seeing Ho Chi Minh's dead body and watching some highly uncoordinated water puppetry. Tomorrow we are of on a 2 day sail trip out to Halong Bay. Despite the cold weather we cant wait!

Over and out for now and stay tuned for our next over done blog.

xoxox