The next day we miraculously rise early and keep with the plan to hitch hike to Vang Vieng. Locals in the book shop next door help us to write a sing in Laos, which we hope says Vang Vieng and not falang, falang!With ukulele, guitar and children's balloons in hand we are look like some sort of personified travelling holiday. Lots of smiles pass our way; of course we look ridiculous but don't care. There is a great atmosphere in the air and we are all on a high. D...

After all that travelling we are ready to chill out and luckily the weather knows it too and starts to rain. I find an awesome Brass Monkey type joint owned by an elderly French couple (there are so many French people in Laos! [Due to the historical connection- the French colonised Laos at the end of the 19th century]). The place shows films day and night, has a fully stocked library, friendly open atmosphere and sells relatively expensive but tasty food. When I ...