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Nil: Hey hey,
We're in a new country! Laos is BEAUTIFUL! By far my favourite place, just because the people are so chilled out and the scenery is stunning. We're in Luang Prabang right now, which is a small town with a huge French influence. The buildings are old colonial style, the streets are lined with little patisseries which sell chocolate eclaires and croissants, and the night market is daily, selling the most beautiful silks and tapestries - unfortunately they're a little outside of our budget, so there won't be any silks adorning our future apartment! Today was a highlight because we went about 30 km away by tuk-tuk to explore the impressive waterfall in the area. And my goodness it was incredible. The water was a turquoise colour, and it was refreshingly cool. I felt completely spoilt to be able to swim in there. I'm pleased Laos and Luang Prabang lived up to the hype because we had an interesting if trying journey to get here from Thailand, but I'll let Tom expand on that. Sorry for the lack of photos... the computer I'm on won't accept my camera, I think it's got a virus. Damn.
Lots of love xxxxxxxxx
Tom:
So I doubt that I'll be able to conceive children after that bus journey. Advertised as a 10hour ride from Huay Xai (Border town with Northern Thailand), it was actually 13hours, and it was probably the worst "road" I've ever been on. To start with, as we left Huay Xai bus station, the bus attendant lifted a panel off the floor of the bus and proceded to tighten various parts of the vehicle. The roads in Laos are bumpy to say the least, and you only get about a 40 yard stretch before the bus has to turn a rediculous angle to get around the next corner. Finally, to top it all off, at midnight (11hours into the trip) the bus driver decided to make use of the TV by blasting out three badly written Asian songs on loop, the videos of which featured an Asian damsel looking slightly forlorn in various scenic locations. Needless to say, I'm considering investing in some sturdier underpants and a set of ear-plugs, to cope with tomorrow's journey to Veng Viang (only 6hours this time). Anyway, we arrived at three in the morning in Luang Prabang, quickly realising that this UNESCO heritage site has a 12 midnight curfew. So Nilufer and I, a French lady and 3 Chinese girls were wondering around knocking on Guesthouse doors looking for accomodation at 3:30am. Not particularly clever but we ended up safe and sound and have recently been enjoying what I would descibe as the best town/city of our trip so far. French architecture and wine bars abound, the place is dotted with little temple buildings - like small chunks of Angkor Wat have been exported randomly to Luang Prabang. The waterfall was beautiful and it's a shame we don't have the time or the money to stay longer here. Definately one for middle-aged holidaying. Anyway much love to everyone at home and blog yo'll soon. TY
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