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Saturday, 21st November 8,000 Kip - US$1
Changed some dollars into Kip and got the minibus from Stung Treng to the Cambodia/Laos border. Our driver said someone would meet us on the other side so with hope we got our visas stamped out of Cambodia, walked 100m up the road with no security checks and got stamped into Laos plus the usual departure and arrival taxes. With the American guy from our journey up to the border we all walked to a restaurant to wait and sure enough someone did turn up to get us. After a couple of hours the minibus pulled over next to a dirt track where 3 motorbikes and riders stood waiting, the driver just said 'it'll take me an hour to get down there, so go with them, 10 minutes'. He wasn't wrong, the track was full of massive potholes which were mostly avoidable on the bikes, we were dropped of by the watersedge where our bumble bee boat was waiting. The boat journey across was a little rocky but we the scenery was beautiful and we found somewhere to stay quickly. The place is called Mr Tho's and our bungalow is called Sticky Rice, still haven't tried any. Found a restaurant called Cafe Rouge for lunch and took a photo to show mum, a bit different from her favourite though. While we were having lunch a guy on the table next to us ordered a 'happy shake' which was followed from some giggles from the next table along, they told him what he'd ordered and he quickly changed it. At the other table were Mark, Cara, Ellen and Ingo who we spent the rest of the day and evening with including meeting the most irritating Australian/person in general we've ever met. He came and sat with us which was fine but then set about insulting us, me in particular and generally snubbing everything anyone said as he'd done it all and better, we made a not swift enough exit and went to Mark and Cara's for a few drinks. Whilst watching the sunset over the Mekong an Ozzie (not the annoying one from earlier) came over with a tray of cakes, they were really good, he runs a bakery/restaurant near us so we headed there for supper.
Sunday, 22nd November
Woke up to Mark and Cara calling us to see if we wanted to go for breakfast, Ellen had already left to go back to Thailand. After a late brekkie we decided to swim across the Mekong, with Mark on an inner tube and Tom, Cara and I swimming we headed off, the current was really strong so we made it half way to the fishing boat then after a little rest headed back. We met up for drinks in the evening in the Regee bar, plus Jonas who was staying near Mark and Cara, you can buy bottles of spirits so we got 1 whiskey and 2 smirnoff vodkas (1 for tomorrow night). It ended up being a very heavy night, 4am to bed.
Monday, 23rd November
So glad we didn't have to go to work this morning, both felt very ropey, woke the others up and went to Cafe Rouge for double breakfasts all roundthen straight back to bed, I wasn't surprised to hear that the second bottle of vodka had been demolished last night-we could all feel it. I read for a bit, trying to finish Shantaram so I can give it to Cara. Went over the road for supper then again straight back to bed, this is a bad hangover. Tried to read as long as possible, not quite finished.
Tuesday, 24th November
Up at 6am for an early brekkie and said goodbye to Mark and Cara who are off to Phnom Penh then to 'our island', both wish we were going back. Were relieved to see the annoying Australian getting on their boat but hope they don't get stuck with him. I did some washing while Tom sorted a couple of mountain bikes. We rode over to the neighbouring Island called Don Khon, it took about 30 minutes but nice scenery. After paying our 'tourist fee' we crossed the railway bridge onto Don Khon. We found the Tat Somphamit waterfalls, they were very dramatic with a strong current, we could see why it's not recommended to swim there. Cycled through all the villages around the island getting a better feel for what Laos village life is like trying to avoid the bright yellow butterflies that were dancing in the paths as we flew through. The dolphin sanctuary where you can go out in a boat to see the Irrawaddy dolphins was at two points, the first was an open area where you could see the Mekong for miles, the other was a beach down a hill and small path called Ban Hang Khon. We arrived at midday and the rare sightings of them are either early morning or late evening so we took in the scenery over lunch whilst battling with a puppy who wanted our flip flops as new chew toys then carried on round the Island and back to Don Det. After a chilled afternoon in the hammocks we went for a cycle around Don Detand found a much nicer path to the bridge to Don Khon and lots more of local life.
Wednesday, 25th November
Up early and out for a run along the path out to the bridge, it takes much longer when running instead of cycling. Went to a French restaurant for breakfast then got packed up and read in the hammocks until 11am. Pakse's not as bad as we were expecting. Once we'd found somewhere to stay we headed to the roof top bar of the Pakse Hotel which had an amazing view over the whole city and the beautiful sunset. Tried to get hold of Soph to see how the preperations were going for the wedding but no one was answering their phones so must be getting everything ready. Tom managed to speak tothe boys at work in the van, Dan's definatley going to be in Oz when we get there.
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