Luang Prabang, Laos (28-31 Dec)

There are no direct flights from Hong Kong to Luang Prabang, so we change in Hanoi, and get a little taste of Vietnam, but only from the airport, so like when we changed planes in Bahrain before Christmas, it doesnt really count just yet. LP has a tiny little airport, and there are very few lights as we come to land in the evening. Its a bit of a mission to get through security, first of all having to queue for a visa, and then another queue to get the passport stamped and permission to enter. We've eaten pretty well en route, getting into the lounge in Hanoi airport, and relieving them of any snacks that they had available, so after a bit of a wander on an unsuccessful mission to find some tonic to go with the gin, we have an early-ish night after a couple of gin and sprites...

Luang Prabang is a lovely place to wander around. The weather starts off cloudy, but is glorious by lunchtime. We pass temples and spas as we make our way into town, and past the food market where all sorts of unidentified meat objects are on the BBQ. As we reach the Mekong river, the temperature is glorious, and perfect for a casual stroll around Xao Thiang Temple, which is a great complex where the monks are happy for you to take photos. Nothing really happens very quickly in LP - its a thoroughly laid back place which is very welcome. We have a fantastic lunch at the Tum Tum restaurant and gently stroll back to our hotel for an afternoon siesta.

There are plenty of tourists around, and little by little we notice that the only locals that we see are those in shops, selling their wares at the night market or performing as part of the traditional Lao dance that we see that evening. Its all a bit slow and laid back, like the rest of the place, apart from the monkey dance, which we all enjoy.

Next day is a bit more of the same, pottering about climbing up the hill in the centre of town for some great views, stopping for a cup of tea, then a beer then going for a foot massage which costs about $2 each. The time just meanders by without a care in the world. We're already pretty chilled after being on holiday for four months, so Laos suits us down to the ground, and are almost a little disappointed to head back to the airport to fly back to Hanoi, and an entry stamp into VietNam...