Lao - Luang Prabang

We took a boat ride across the Mekong to get to the town of Xian Mien – this was a local town with no tourists in it. Noone really spoke any English and we were just watching locals carry on with their everyday business. 

School children were soo excited to see us and wanted to practice their English with us – they were all really intrigued what we doing there and where we had come from.

We also walked up to the top of a mountain to now a unused Buddhist temple called Wat Long Koon  and got a great view of Luang Prabang from across the river – just as the sun was setting on the river. With  no one else around it was very pretty and well worth the walk up the mountain..

On the way  back down we could hear music blaring just slightly off the road and thought wed go and check out what was going on – turns out it was a Wedding Reception – the locals were soo excited to see us. They wouldn’t let us go till we enjoyed a few glasses of Beer Lao with them and got involved in some traditional Laos dancing. Was really cool to see and just awesome how they whole town just gets involved and enjoys the party. Men,Woman and even children  all enjoying Beer Lao 

Kavs dancing with a wedding guest!

Some lady boy dancing, another guest at the wedding...

Lao - Luang Prabang

Next Stop for us ..Laos…Luang Prabang..

A beautiful , very slow and sleepy little town set along the mekong river which has a great warm atmosphere in it..…I cant sell this place enough with there not being lots to do within it- however it just has a great feel about it..and we both loved it!

It also has the usual night market however people are much less pushy and market more organised then anything we had seen over Asia so far.. so you generally enjoy the experience a lot more here..

A picture Nehal took of cute tiny pillows that were sold in the night market.

We took an afternoon out to visit the Kaung Si Water Fall… Beautiful waterfall with clear waters…a host of swimming options in the pools.. We took the opportunity to climb to the top of falls and cross over to the side- where we saw great views of the falls from the top..

Smaller water falls at the foot of the waterfalls

Top of the waterfalls - the main fall with a 50 m cascade 

Kav and I walked across the top of the water fall at the lip where it starts just behind the fence Kav is holding!!

Amazing views from the top!

Trying to get a snap of the sheer drop.

Pleased with our successful climb and crossing.

Some kid that was playing at the foot of the falls with his friends!

That evening we checked a bar/restaurant that was recommended to us by alot of travellers called Utpoia.. Cool place, slightly hidden away… chilled out vibe…where we spent the evening having a few drinks and some shisha…

Utopia - with the Flag of the communist LPRP -Lao People's Revolutionary Party 

Bike hanging of the wall!

A volleyball court

Pay attention to number 10...

Fixing pipes in every country!

Thailand - Chiang Mai

That evening was our last night in Thailand…and we were saying goodbye to our friends…till we meet again in Sydney…

Thailand - Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a beautiful little town in the North of Thailand. It has been slightly overtaken by Tourism however still has the Thai feel about it…with the usual night market and a host of temples..

We had decided to see Chiang Mai with another couple who we met on the China tour with us – this turned out good for us as we enjoyed a few nice meals by the lake and in the old town and crazy night out..

Us, Ryan and Sinead

We booked 2 day tours, first to the National Park  - we saw the highest point in Thailand and  where we did a 3 hour trek around the forest and saw beautiful waterfalls and many many insects…  

Base of the stair way leading to the Buddhist temple 

Cute kids standing out side a temp dressed in traditional clothes.

Chiang Mai - view from back of temple on the mountain

Next day was folled by a day at Baanchang Elephant Park – this was a  great day! I (kavs) was quite particular to chose this elephant park. After speaking to a lot of people we chose this park as it seemed they looked after the elephants well and was more of a rescue centre then the usual 'elephant trekking' parks.

We got to spend time to get to know the elephants, feed them, bathe them and take a short trek with them…

Kavs feeding bananas

With the pressure of Kavs on the elephants back it had to take a poo and a wee and smiled with the relief!!! 

 Here us with our elephant Champu…