Border Patrol 2.0: We left Cambodia and entered Laos on foot, feeling equally badass and slightly sweaty more sweaty than last crossing. What is it with these countries and their humidity, so gross and we haven’t even had time to do washing… Running low on clothes.
Their border was very white tile and clinical, very few people, NZ visas were the cheapest and our new bus had tassels, so many ticks for Laos.

First stop falling water at “the Niagara Falls of South East Asia”, Khone Phapheng Falls. In rainy season more water flows over here than Niagara, they’re kinda a big deal.

They were so beautiful, snaps from every angle were necessary, even monks with selfie sticks thought so (missed the photo opp as I was too taken a back by the whole scene).

Lunch was had at the falls and as any good lunch should begin it started with a shot of heavy wine as the Americans who offered it to Rene, Taylor and I called it or more commonly known as Laos Whiskey or a mix between rum and tequila, cautious tick for Laos. We tried dark but White whiskey doesn’t have the spice flavouring and is much stronger, we thought the brown one was stomach warming strong- sheeet.

The American suppliers sleazy brother:

Second course arrived, dried then fried no herbs or seasoning. Tastes like the chicken next to the bone, not bad but different. I probably won’t have it again but at least when I got to France I can bond with the French, “Je manger les frogs” (I am aware that’s not actually french).

My lunch then came with dried fish on top, stupid me was feeling game (it was the whiskey I swear) tried one of these. It tasted like an old fish market. Rank. They were promptly removed and first lunch in Laos continued to be enjoyable.

I felt a little funny after, no surprises there but I’m still going strong!

Next stop Don Khong Island, it has a multi-million dollar concrete bridge linking to the mainland- cha Ching double tick for Laos. We hired bikes to stretch out our legs, see the village and experience potholes on two wheels.

Bridget ran over a duck, it was like a slow motion scene as I rode next to her watching it’s neck bend. Apologies to animal lovers but it was the most hilarious thing I’ve ever seen, we laughed, a local laughed, the duck walked off, Bridget rode off and we didn’t see him on our return.

Following a lovely riverside stay (no photo this upload speed is excruciating).
Wat Phu, a Wat we weren’t over as it was all open and spread out even though it was a sacrifice site, different to the average Wat. This temple was used for sacrifices of young virgin boys and girls between ages 12-15. Often the parents would offer their children as next generation would be king, things were done differently back then.
There were 77 steps apparently (if my memory serves) but my thighs said there were far more, we were walking from the land up to the heavens. Beautiful views killer steps. We walked up the kings path, obviously but there were also paths for your average men and women.

Holy water runs down the rocks and is considered to bless, heal and grant wishes when drank or splashed on ones head. We splashed the water over our heads 3 times for 3 wishes, I’ll let you know if mine come true in the mean time you should ask Laura about her wish experience.

The crocodile carved into the rocks used to lie with head to the sky and is where the sacrifices were performed by lying the boy and girl on top of each other.

On our way to our home stays on Don Deng Island we stopped at a local market to check out the delicacies on offer.

Surprise, surprise Tom Tom our CEO bought ant lava for us to try. Who the heck eats ant lava!?!? No one, I repeat, no one. She plead with Laura, Taylor and I (apparently the only ones stupid enough to try most fried animals) for a good hour.

Thank goodness we distracted her with expansive sand posed photos- she’s a selfie sucker.

Our home stay was in the largest village on the island, 1000 people. The houses were so well built compared to the ones we’d seen in Cambodia. Solid, brick and wood. Our family were the sweetest and set us up for a sleepover of epic proportions.
We had a village dinner cooked by out hosts, hands down the best Laos meal so far. Curries and to die for water melon. Oh yea and as an appetiser we caved and had omelet with ant lava, chicken egg +ant egg, egg on egg on crunchy egg.

The village was pretty well advanced, power and street lights to keep everyone safe. Multiple ticks for Laos.
The town had very well teavelled roosters clearly suffering from jet lag or they like to act as the clocks of the world that frequently adorn. Hotel walls. Either way they started at 1.30 and kept at it well after dawn. I think even the geko(sounds like a bird and apparently their mating sound is nuts) was even telling them to shut up. In other animal sound news baby water bud fool sound like sheep we got a little homesick (not). Further animal news Taylor got stung by a scorpion twice, it was only a baby thank goodness! Oh and she was fine, lived to tell the tale.
After a morning bike ride and calf rescue we headed to the local school. Our activities included a repeated dance of head shoulders knees and toes, Laura and I teaching the English days of the week which they repeated in a kiwi accent- cute! But the required repetition was horrible, And a hokey pokey rendition in the yard (see Facebook). Much fun was had.

Bye lovely home stays! We then flew from Pakse a short drive from the ferry stop to Luang Prabang (or LPB, took us far to long to work out why Laura’s initials were plastered over the city). Pakse is a town with a very very average market, I’d give it a miss if I was you and a very good coffee shop using locally grown beans. They also have animals in cages around trees.

Now we’ve spent a few days here now and we think we’ve got it but are still confused:
Laos- country
Lao – people or relating to the people of Lao.
Happy New Year!! I hope you all had fabulous celebrations, as we did, and the year continues to be that fantastic! Lots of love from an area that finally has internet.
Ps we also found that scariest dolls, souvenir anyone?