First of all, some transport (the one on the right!)

An obligatory stone structure of some sort 

Surprised to see the UN had a base there 

More buildings (can you tell I wasn’t in temple mode!)

Then an obligatory visit to the COPE museum which helps disabled people in Laos – very sad but inspirational. They help disabled people (usually as a result of land mines)

Mines and prosthetics 

Laos is the most bombed country in history 

I bought myself some chocolate that evening to cheer myself up 

My favourite? Fullo Blasto. Seriously, if anyone is in Laos right now please buy me some!

A great town but time to move on. But first I wanted to check out the Tham Chang (aka Tham Jang) caves. Setting off from the CIA airstrip in town 

And up a load of stairs to the cave entrance 

Bizarre shapes. Apparently there’s a lake in there that’s icy cold but the lights came to an end some way in and I didn’t have a torch 

As usual the bus dropped us off in the middle of nowhere

Got an obligatory rip off tuk tuk into town. Seemed like a few good bars and restaurants nearby

There’s no plane from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng so took the bus. Loved the scooters on top 

Unfortunately, we were delayed somewhat  waiting for the road to be built 

But the scenery was great en route 

The former CIA airstrip is now being used for weddings and parties 

Some wild partying in the town 

but these days it’s banana crepes and an early night for me!

Hired a motorbike then off to some local waterfalls (the Kouang Si waterfalls)…

Apparently the first bear to have neurosurgery 

The tarmac was melting. The sand thrown over didn’t really do much  

One coconut down…

…a pile more to go 

The end of the peninsula in Luang Prabang 

And an interesting way to serve beer. The ice is frozen at the bottom and the beer is poured on top 

Wandering around Luang Prabang. More temples 

More slow boats on the Mekong, this time from above 

Climbing Mount Phousi you go through a Buddhist monastery. This monk was fishing for mangoes 

Quite a few steps up  

but lots of Buddhas at the top including a Tuesday Buddha 

And one of Buddha’s footprints in this hut

Bit hard to see though 

Then a beer at Utopia, a riverside bar