I left LPB on Saturday morning bound for the remotish town of Luang Nam Tha. This is a popular first night stop for those travellers who have crossed the border from China. I found a gorgeous guest house to stay in: clean, free drinking water and internet all for about $4 per night. Luang Nam Tha is well known for its spectacular natural environment and there are loads of trekking opps. I found a 2 day 1 night option and spent Sunday bush bashing through muddy dirt tracks. Quite the adventure. We all came out worse for wear with mud stained clothing, bruises and grazes from sliding down the track. We all agreed it was much more fun than a simple afternoon walk due to the mud and constant rains. Of course in the vllage there ... read more

I took the mini van from Phonsavan to Luang Prabang but I am sorry to tell you it was a very rough ride. Despite my 2 travel sick tablets, by the time I arrived in LPB I was very unwell. Luckily Hannah (a girl from Finland who I ended up sharing a room with) also felt unwell that night so we were both pathetic together. I loved LBP. It is a charming city with so much to offer. The first day I took it easy, relaxing at various local coffee shops and exploring the town. There is a daily night market which sells loads of handicrafts and it a great spot for bit of sounvenir shopping. Hannah and I ate from a super market stall that night. The deal was you buy a bowl for 10,000 ... read more

I spent the week bunking at the Organic Farm in their dorm room. I met some cool people and enjoyed the days hanging out in town. Neil, the other volunteer teacher had to show me the ropes at the school as unfortunately my first impressions of a well organised program turned out to be premature. I'm not sure if it was just bad timing or maybe some office politics but the programme organisers didn't say boo to us all week and by Thursday evening I was glad to be getting out of there. Apart from the inhospitable programme organisers the teaching was wonderful. The classes were mixed ages and I ended up teaching botha Level 1 class with lots of cute kids who loved my stickers and a Level 3 class with lots of adults. It ... read more

On Wednesday afternoon I took a VIP bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng for the bargain basement price of 30,000 kip. I could have stayed a few more days in Vietaine but something tells me that I will be back there soon enough. The bus trip was luxurious with air con and I had both seats to myself. We arrived in Vang Vieng town around 6pm. I checked into my guest house - Pan's Place (30,000 per night or about $3.50)and went for a walk. I ate a yummy chicken shishkebab from a street stall, had a diet coke with some nice young english girls and retired to my room to read up on the things to do in town. Today after some fine Mulberry pancakes from the Organic Mulberry Farm Cafe I bumped into two ... read more

After 2 more nights in Hanoi I was completely ready to get out of there and never return. Nothing against Hanoi- I think I've just spent way too much time there doing not much of anything. On Wednesday morning I grabbed my gear and took a moto to the bus station ready to explore Cat Ba Island. After easily purchasing my one way ticket for 180, 000 ($9) and a short wait in a few different spots around the station (helpful locals shuffled me around from one good waiting spot to another) I was off! On the bus trip I met a lovely local gentleman who kindly took me under his wing and made polite conversation in his very best english. He even put up with my big backpack banging against his legs as I wasn't ... read more