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A few quick days in Vientiane. The captial of Laos, as laid-back as capitals come, a colonial city slumped on the banks of the Mekong. Small dusty with the ubiquitous temples and tuk-tuks. Just out of the city there is one of the weirdest parks I have ever been to, surreal statues of Buddhist and Hindu folklore, complete with a Hellmouth. I searched around for my very own Buffy but didn't find her. The rest of the time I spent talking with Dave and Stefan in some of the many French inspired cafes or bars. A trip to "On the Rock" where a Lao covers band crooned out many a balad popular with the Ladies in the audience and then made a perfect rendition of "Hotel California" - they were good but I have to conclude that there is no rock on the rock. Spent an hour killing mosquitoes in my room before sleeping.

I caught an overnight bus down to Pakse and on to Don Det after a day or two.

Over to a photo blog and selected highlights from Vientiane.

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