Good Evening Laos

Well it is goodbye to Laos. Our last day was a trip to an elephant camp and the Tad Se waterfall some 20 km out of Louang Prabang. General overall impressions of Laos are
- people are much calmer and less intrusive than in other parts of Asia
- all accommodation is spotlessly clean
- $5 and $40 accommodation generally doesn't differ by much - cheaper end has no TV or fridge and the water from the sink may pour out straight on the bathroom floor (which gets wet anyway whenever you have a shower.
- cheap as chips and quite a lot to do - if you don't become a member of the Seinfield set
-Vang Vieng was one of the most interesting places - a backpackers' paradise. Louang Prabang has (as a town) more of a French Indochina atmosphere. Vientianne is nothing special.
- staying in a Khmou village with 600 natives, no toilet facilities and only one bamboo pipe in a stream (200 m away) for washing, showering and for general water supplies, plus sleeping in a bamboo hut on a bamboo floor is a new way of living.
- always wear slip-off sandals in Laos. Removing shoes at every guesthouse, temple, shop, and massage parlour, and when crossing numerous rivers is an absolute pain. Be careful when retrieving your sandals to select the best pair available.
- needed more time to go north of Loung Prabang to Muang Ngoi. Maybe next time.
- it is hard spending 100,000 kip for food and drink for two at a good restaurant. The mind cannot accept it. Tis why Kitty always assumed it was only 10,000 Kip each time. But given that a good Melbourne house can easily cost 10, 000, 000, 000 kip one can lose perspective.

Good Evening Laos.