Laos

Unfortunately my memory stick has been corrupted. I have attempted to fix it myself and have only made it worse, and so now I am just going to wait for someone who knows what they are doing. Until then, I will briefly explain my trip through Laos.

I started in Huay Xai which is a typical small border town, but does still retain some charm and its views across the river are lovely.

I then took the bus up to Luang Nam Tha. Here I went Kayaking through the jungle on the Nam Tha River. It was simply stunning. Paddling though white water rapids, thick jungle and past the occasional remote village.

After Luang Nam Tha I attempted to visit Muang Khua to then take the boat down to Nong Khiaw. But after a two day ordeal which included three cancelled buses, a broken down bus, an unwanted overnight stay in the unattractive Oudomxay and a lorry which fell off a cliff, I decided to give up and go wherever I could. I made it to Nong Khiaw. A place which I loved. Bungalows are by the beautiful riverside. Cycling into the nearby villages was a great experience too. We explored many caves which were used during the secret war to shoot down the Americans. We found caves which I had never experienced before thanks to a kind local's knowledge, these caves turned out to be series of dark narrow tunnels which twisted both up and down.

Next I went down to Luang Probang, which was extremely different to what I had previously experienced of Laos. But not in a bad way. It is a charming city and the traces of past French colonization are almost celebrated in the form of well kept colonial architecture and great bakeries.

I then ventured down to Vang Vieng where I stayed for one day, but did have the craziest party I could have had. Despite having certain preconceptions about Vang Vieng, I am really glad that I went and did have the best time. But I could not have stayed long.

Next was Vientiane. A place which gets such a bad rep for being boring and not worth a visit. I completely disagree. It was lovely. A really clean Asian city with lots of character. I found lots to do including the best European food market, parks, so many monuments and a really informative museum about the Secret War and the vast number of landmines which remain in Laos. I was also in Vientiane on Buddah's birthday and was lucky enough to sit and watch a beautiful procession - full of colour and music - at the Pha That Luang.

I then went down to Tha Khek with intention to do 'the loop'. However, after an extremely long day visiting Kong Lor Cave I decided to move on. We estimated getting to the cave would only take us about an hour on bus. But we were wrong. We had to take a tuk tuk, then a bus, then another bus, then a pick-up-truck, and another pick-up-truck. Having left at 6am we arrived at 4pm. We rushed through the cave - which was awesome - because we knew what the journey back would hold. However, in addition to the getting there ordeal, getting back included a huge storm which flooded the bus and tripped out its lights.

After Tha Khek I ventured down to Pakse. Another comfortable journey as space priority was given to the thousands of cucumbers, leaving the passengers to pickle themselves into the limited remaining space. Pakse was lovely. A little more going on than Tha Khek and a great gateway to see the Laos countryside - which is littered with waterfalls. I also took a day trip to Champasak to see Wat Phu. It is rumoured that Wat Phu inspired Angkor Wat. Whether that is true is debatable, but nonetheless it is very impressive - and I was the only person there which is always bonus, especially at a World Heritage Site. On my way to Wat Phu I passed through a small village who were holding a firework festival for a reason I still don't quite understand. It seemed like just an excuse for a party. Big rockets were being launched from a bamboo structure - and then collectively dodged as they made their way back down into the Lao Lao intoxicated crowds..

Next was Don Det which was gorgeous and just very chilled. All to be down is to ride your bike through rice paddies and the neighboring island Don Khon, kayak, relax in a hammock and watch the most beautiful sunsets. A perfect way to end my time in Laos.