23rd January - Saturday

We were all up early well girls were boys stayed out till late! Us girls had a slumber party and had lots of treats and watched a really bad Laos soap, no we did not understand it!! Paula set off to the GH up the road to get help calling the place she thought left her diary, we headed round to the bus depot to be told bus would not be going till half 8 ! An hour later than told before, they wait till full!! So we walked on to meet Paula and get a tea/coffee. Bus picked us up and we as usual were crammed into the back, it was a good hour to the junction. On arrival Paula headed to the GH we stayed at, but returned with no luck English was not spoken there, so decision was made Matt and I headed to Vientiane on the waiting bus the other 2 continued the diary hunt, which ended up back to Pakse! We were lucky for a change we had 2 seats to ourselves!! Luxury and only 3 1/2 hour trip. We were dropped at the South bus station and hopped on a tuk tuk to town, we were given some advice by a nice elderly French man having lived there before and visiting. We set off with our bags to find somewhere to stay, after heading to a fair few places that were full we choose to refuel first! Then Matt set off on the hunt, finding a luxury place to what we were used to for $20 for 2 nights each, it was great!! After settling in I went off to explore a bit bumping into the Greek boys on route & got some tips where to go for drinks etc. After refreshing we headed out to dinner, they had reasonably priced wine, so I had a couple with dinner, we then headed on finding a roof top bar, it had some great music!! We hit the vodka & red bull plus tequila = 2 slightly drunk people but very fun night!!

24th January - Monday

Waking with a slight headache! Matt was worse than I by a mile!! We set off to do the lonely planet walking, meant to be 4-5 hours, not quite. We went to Patuaxai, Vientiane's Arch de Tri, Talat Sao - morning Market which sells absolutely everything! The walk took us to towns oldest Buddhist Stupa, which isn't looked after too well considering it's huge historical worth. We headed onto Wat si Saket - famous for the temple of buddhas & Haw Pha Kaeo national museum for religious objects, managing to see them before they closed for lunch. A well deserved hangover lunch was had at a street burger place recommended by the Greek boys, it was amazing!! After seeing the last few temples which were in fact right by our hotel we went back for a chill out and watch a film. After we headed out on a hunt the KFC hunt!! Yep someone has to find one in every country if it's there and eat one! we gave up the hunt after an hour or so. I headed off to have a bit of pampering, then back to room to chill with another film. The KFC mission was not over though and off he trekked again, returning well having found the knock off version! So off we headed for the night, me eating sensible food and on the vino again Matt on the beer as full of burger! Another heavy night at the roof top bar with fab music!! Although no tequila this time!! My last night before heading off solo so a few drinks were necessary!!

24th January - Monday

After we surfaced heading down for breakfast the wonderer's returned, great timing Paula successfully completing her diary hunt thankfully!! So we managed to spend my last few hours with them we headed to the Mekong for my last view of it, very sad my adventure is drawing to a close. After lunch I said my final farewells and headed off on a very dodgy sounding tuk tuk to the airport, flying to Kuala Lumper then onto Langkawi for 2 days poolside before heading home.

Langkawi

I arrived about 11pm room was lovely!! Next morning I looked about, arriving
In the dark you don't know what to expect! Had my breakfast by the pool which overlooks the harbour and other islands very nice! I walked into town to hunt down a bank then it was back to the pool for some r & r. Sun goes down later than I had been used to! I headed back to town to explore the night Market & have dinner, a little bit of shopping too only duty free which is sold in town. Day 2 spent relaxing again, just what I needed. Heading to the shopping centre early evening, not much there but i had to see and make sure!!

Just one more morning by the pool then the long haul home, back to reality!!