The minivan from Cambodia eventually made it to Bangkok and we were dropped off at about 8.30pm somewhere near Pratunam market where the company's office is. We then found ourselves unable to get a taxi prepared to use its meter. The price they wanted, and the tuk tuks too, was about three times what the meter rate would have been. We walked away and eventually found a driver prepared to take just twice the price. Meters in taxis are supposed to be used by law so we were not happy. Less so because the drivers used the excuse "it's busy!" The Retroasis turned out to be a great choice of hotel. Its rooms are all nestled around an inner courtyard with a lovely pool. We felt very happy there. The next day we went to a ... read more

A little over three years ago we visited Phnom Penh for the first time. Since then the city has undergone quite a transformation. New hotels have sprung up all over the place and there seems to be a proliferation of Sky Bars. We stayed at url=https://www.google.co.th/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.legrandmekong.com/&ved=0ahUKEwjkp8CeuJPSAhVMMY8KHZYLC-kQFgjsATAY&usg=AFQjCNFhfwO7W0c3PA7uuqDdsNxWV2V9pALe Grand Mekongwhich was very nice, but probably not grand. It did have a sky bar though, and we ate breakfast there each day with a magnificent view of the Mekong. Happy hour suited us well too, with beers buy one get one free. Even better deals were available for cocktails! When you have already done the main sites and museums, tuk tuk drivers constantly asking if you want to go to the "Killing Fields" gets... read more

There may or may not be 4000 islands dotted around the Mekong in southern Laos. What is certain is that there are an awful lot of them! We stayed on the largest island of the archipelago, Don Khong, which was a tropical paradise and fairy undeveloped. A minibus had brought us all the way from Pakse to a tiny settlement on the bank of the river. There we were handed over to a boatman who safely delivered us to the other side, successfully selling us a day trip in the process! He took us all the way to where we were staying, theurl=http://www.booking.com/hotel/la/mali-guesthouse.html?aid=318615;label=Low_CPA_English_EN_TH_21461894545-TCZB66d_PFY4nG12HSEDLAS99511130065%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap1%3Ap2%3Aac%3Aap1t1%3Aneg%3Afi%3Atidsa-166246061305%3Alp1012729%3Ali%3Adet%3Adm;sid=2f484f802e297fa03f690f097175015d;all_sr_blocks=129619802_91951386_0_0_0;checkin=2017-02-11;checkout=2017-02-12;dest_id=-2666... read more

Vang Vieng was once known for its hedonistic nightlife, drug fuelled raves and drunken backpackers drifting along from bar to bar sitting precariously on inflated inner tubes as they float down the river. Perhaps 20 years ago that image might have been a bit more attractive but luckily for us the town has worked hard to change its character and it definitely has a more sedate tone today. The change continues though, and the building of large hotels for rich tour groups may yet signal the end for the meagre backpacker. We ended up staying for four nights on the edge of town, far away from the few noisy bars which still operate until the "curfew" at 11pm. We started in the Laos Haven whose small swimming pool provided a place to cool off in the ... read more

We decided it was time for a splurge when we reached Vientiane. The Golden Sun Hotelturned out to be exactly what we needed, especially after we changed rooms when the noise from the kitchen was just too much at 6am! Every day we did something touristy in the morning then returned for an afternoon relaxing by the pool. At US$44 a night it was certainly pushing our budget but it was well worth it. On our first night we walked out to the bank of the Mekong where many Laotians were taking an early evening stroll. The temperature was lovely and we enjoyed stretching our legs around Cho Aravong Park stopping to admire the huge statue which stands as a memorial to the man after whom the park was named. We also passed through some of ... read more