Hi all,
It has been a while. We have not been able to get a good connection to make any postings. Luang Prabang is probably the prettiest spot we have seen yet. We have been staying at a beautiful guesthouse with bungalow that face the river. The huts are made of bamboo and palm leaves and have great verandas to sit out on and watch the sun sink behind the hills. We see folks out fishing and working their farms when we get up and they are still working hard when we shut out our lights. The kids frolic in the river without supervision and have lots of smiles.
We have climbed up thousands of steps to see the wat at the top of the hill in the centre of town and rented bikes. Great fun.
On the day we went to the Chuang Si water falls, we went swimming. I didn't really like the experience because little fish were chewing away at my feet. We had seen these spas in Bangkok where you could pay to get your feet cleaned off with little fish - yuck. So I wasn't keen on it.
Mira was very brave, she joined the 20 something crew of young men swinging out on the tarzan rope into the pool. She was admired by all. Kate actually fell asleep in the tuk tuk on the way out - incredible because these little trucks with spots to sit in are really loud and dirty but she slept.
The girls and Paul had their feet massaged at one of the hundreds of places ready to give you any kind of massage. The girls are loved here. They always attract alot of attention. The massage ladies really liked them and there were giggles all 'round. Kate laughed because they tickled her feet and Mira thought it was hilarious that Paul got the "tough massage lady' when Kate and Mira got the nice ones.
We went to the National Ballet of Laos to see the play "Searching for Sida." It was a traditional Laos folk tale with costumes. The girls loved it. Kate was not pleased that unlike western stories that always have a happy ending this one didn't even end... they kept on searching. Paul fell asleep as soon as the music came on.. just like home with the national.
We left on Saturday, October 31. The day started out calm enough. Our guest house was owned by a Swiss guy so I thought that they would take VISA - most don't. I should have asked. At 7:30, I went to check out and realized that I didn't have 1 198, 000 kipp on me... who does? So Paul and the girls were picked up for the bus station and ran around with the owner going to ATMs trying to get out enough kipp for our check out. When I got that done, they gave me a bracelet and neck scarf - for luck. I think I needed that! The bus was great - we paid the extra cash for the VIP bus. We had assigned seats so we weren't at the back... luckily. We weren't sure how long the trip would be... everyone kept flashing 6 fingers. Does that mean 6 hours or arrive at 6pm.. who knows. We left at 9 am.. by 10. Mira and I were choking back gravol. Kate had had the last kid tablets so Mira elected to chew the adult ones - that is desperate! She was sick and sick.. I was very very under the weather.. Kate slept in a drugged stooper. The switchbacks and tight turns lasted for hours. We stopped at noon for a 'free' lunch - none of which we could stomach. At 2pm the air conditioning stopped. At 4pm, Paul and others had to put a drunk and unruly passenger in his place... and the switch backs continued. We arrived in Vientiane at 7pm.... WE are FLYING to Hanoi! We should leave on Tuesday. We had a celebration last night. Survival of the ride... we all ate western food and it was good.
Sabai dii, from Laos, sharon
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