Well, it's been a while since I wrote up a blog (by my standards anyway - especially since i've done so much) so i'll try and fill you in on what i've been up to since Thailand..

I had a great time rockclimbing and had planned to cross into Laos the next day but the bus was full so had to wait an extra day... during this time i managed to pick up Chang Mai Belly and was really really sick for the 2 day trip into Laos... i decided to catch the speed boat which takes 6 hrs instead of 2 days, so you can imagine how fast it went.. and it was TINY! they pack the people in, give you life jackets and giant crash helmets... hmm.. anyway.. we arrived in Luang Prabang and i met these 5 Americans who are travelling/teaching through Asia so stayed with them.

Luang Prabang was really nice, relaxing and went to see Pak Oa caves and Kuang Si waterfalls (amazing waterfalls). Then headed on to Phonsavanh to see the plain of Jars on the worst most windy road i've ever been on and it just kept going for 6 hours!!! oh... and the guys running the busses in Laos all carry big rifles on their backs...The plain of jars was pretty cool.. so random all these stone jars lying around the place! Seeing all the craters and things from the bombs was pretty thought provoking and having to walk on the path between the white markers so you didn't step on an unexploded bomb was so sad because so many people are still dying from something that should have ended so long ago...

From Luang Prabang i went to Vang Vieng (which i was a bit sceptical about because of how touristy it was supposed to be) but i really liked it. I went tubing which was cool and watched enough friends episodes to last me a life time (and finally was over my stomach thing so could eat food again!)

From there i headed to the capital, Vientiene. I went to Buddah park which is like Park Guell in Barcelona by Gaudi, only more Buddist!!!

I flew from Vientiene to Phnom Pehn - i wanted to fly directy to Siam Reap but the flights were full. I went to the Palace and to the Silver Pagoda and tried to go to the Killing fields but they were closed for the day.

Then got a bus to Siem Reap and this morning got up to see sunrise at Ankor Wat before checking some of the other temples out...

Verdict on Laos and Cambodia so far? I prefer Laos so far, more relaxed and friendly, and i wasnt harrassed in Laos where as i've been harrassed and ripped off virtually around every corner in Cambodia so far.. but they are both such poor countries.. i head that the average income in Laos is US$400 per YEAR!!! Cambodia is more green than Laos is - i expected it to be the other way round. oh, and i LOVE going on moto(rbike)s!

But i'm having a great time and even being harrassed and ripped off is worth it as part of the experience. Tomorrow i'm heading to Battambang and seeing Tara and all her little kiddies which i'm SO excited about! then if i have time will try to get to the coast then into Vietnam for Sunday!

wow!

anyway... as always, keep in touch and let me know how you are all doing!