---

Once we had made it to Vientiane - after thinking we may well not, we were piled into an already crammed Jumbo Tuk Tuk (at least 17 of us in a tuk tuk made for at the most 10) and we were charged extortionate prices for the privilege, couldn't really see anything so extra glad when we eventually made it to the center. The city was much nicer than we had imagined it would be, and busier too. We must have trekked for at least 45mins in the heat with our bags on, all the hotels were either far too pricey, full or really manky! In the end we had to settle for a place that was more than we wanted to pay but we were promised a really nice breakfast, and the room was pretty swanky! The bed however was extremely comfortable, the best night sleep we have had since we came away!

Vientiane is a nice place, nice bakeries and nice people, the museum was worth a look at but not much to really see. Decided to eat at the local Mall - big mistake, after several mouthfuls I was regretting it! It was a bit hot walking around, but a nice city to walk around, not too busy but busy enough. The street food however was delicious - apart form the fish that Greg was eating was looking at me throughout the meal - I haven't been able to eat fish since!! Vientiane isn't a very pretty place but it was nice!

Well the breakfast in the hotel was the worst I have ever eaten..and the service was not desirable! After two nights we decided to find a new place after we came back to our room to find that our laundry had been put back in our room in a bag soaking wet!! Well Greg was not a happy boy when they came back to get it from us and proceeded to run off laughing hysterically!! They assured us it would be ready for the next day as we were planning on leaving. Well, 8am we were woken up with our washing handed to us in a bag - yup still wet!! Luckily we were leaving to go to a new hotel today... we were not impressed, clearly money doesn't get you everything!!!

The next hotel was lovely, very small room (size of a big double bed) but much much cheaper and the breakfast was amazing and the staff so friendly!!! We saw the Arch de Triumph look alike - not very grand though and very much a concrete monstrosity but with amazing views. I managed to go up most of the way but couldn't do the very top - Greg thinks the jungle has made me worse not better..oops! Greg assures me the views were stunning! Greg had his first pint of Cider since we have been away, he saved up his beer allowance for at least two days for it! He was impressed, and was able to flirt with the waitress that sat and talked to us for most of the night, it was nice to find out more about the culture and her studies.

There was a nice swimming pool where we lazed the day away soaking up the sun and resting our weary feet after days of lots of walking, as we were leaving the Laos national swimming team we just starting to train!

Laos has gone so so quickly! Sad to be leaving but excited about our next part of the adventure!! Laos was lovely, people were friendly, food was nice and place was pretty!

---