After breakfast we headed out and over a windy road to get to a waterfall and bear sanctuary. Very cute black bears and a very blue waterfall. Mum was very excited about getting a swim and it was a lovely cool morning but not too cool that we didnt appreciate getting in the water. The only strange thing was being unable to keep your feet still for too long as there were little fish nibbling your feet. I think they were probably those pedicure fish from the Overgate fish tanks. At least i kinda hope they were :-/
Travelling with Intrepid means that they make you aware of ways to travel responsibly. This includes things like using reusable bags and plastic bottles for water but it also includes thinking about the effect we have on the local people. So trying not to swear and acting and dressing respectably becomes a priority. This can be quite tricky, particularly in Laos when respectable means below the knee and shoulders covered. My careful packing didnt really include this consideration :-/ It also means not wearing only a bikini in the water so t-shirt and shorts over the top it was.
We went to the ethnology centre next to learn about the many different tribes in Laos. Lots of lovely colours and traditions.
A few of us decided we wanted to visit another temple from the guide book after that so we walked round to the main street and headed on what turned out to be a 20 minute walk in the blistering heat. Luckily it was worth it to see the temple covered in lots of coloured, mirrored glass pictures. Another tourist also asked to have his picture taken with me! A 'falang' (foreigner) being of interest :-/ He turned out to be from Thailand. We stopped for a drink and listenwd to the monks chanting before walking back through the night market again. More time for some proper shopping :) Karishma is our chief haggler and she has been teaching the rest of us. Im getting better :) Back to the hotel on a tuk-tuk for a delicious tea on the balcony.