Wow, haven’t checked in with you all for a while!
Been in Laos for just over a 9days now and it feels like weeks! Where to start??
After spending a week at the Temple, I got the night bus from Chaing Mai to the Thai border and caught a boat to Luang Prabang with the Israeli couple I met. We were told, as usual on good authority, that the bus arrives in the morning and from there we can book a boat. After months of travelling you'd think I'd spot a scam but there are so many, sometimes one lets their guard down!
We were delivered to the border and yes it was in fact the morning… 3 am in the morning! It's pitch black and raining. It was horrible, and all we could do was curl up in our sleeping bags on tables which were shelted from the rain. Morning couldn’t come fast enough!
In the morning we set out for Laos. We had 2 options, a speed boat taking 6 hours at around twice the price of a 2 day slow boat. Most people are opting for the slow boat, but I am impatient to get moving having spent so much time not doing much!
Goodness me, this was one crazy way to travel along the Mekong. They handed me a crash helmet when I got on and I was like, what do I need this for?! 6 hours later I understood the need for the helmet!
I am now in Luang Prabang which is such a gorgeous, cute little town. It's defiantly a town for tourists, the shops are of a high end local craftsmanship and the market shows no sign of holiday tat. After being up in the jungle it’s been great to chill out, cycle down the Mekong, read books in cute cafes and eat banana pancakes! I wonder if this is the weirdest place to read Girl With a Dragon Tattoo!
I’m about to head off to Vang Viene to go tubing! It’s apparently famous for it. Really can’t wait, I’m becoming a right adventure junkie! Not sure how I am going to be able to settle into life back home, I might have to move out of home and to London to keep up the spirit of adventure!
It’s unreal to think about home! I can’t believe I will be seeing you all in a few short months. Time is just flying by. Will update you all again soon!
Lots of love
