Vientiane

Our first full day here started with pouring rain. We treated ourselves to a long lunch in a fantastic Italian restaurant. Buffet lunch was, in Judy's words, "exquisite". Every dish had its distinctive flavour, and the desserts - to die for. First non-local food of the trip. The La Scala is highly recommended (by us) with a real Italian chef. Sat and thought about what to do next.

Decided to skip the tourist hotspots of Vang Vienh and Luang Prabang and head straight for the heart of the far north-west. Choice of long cheap buses or short expensive flight - gave in and booked flight. Did lots of other organizational things too, then went off with Vientiane Bush Hash House Harriers - interesting to say the least!

Hot and sunny again so after visiting the national monument, a huge gold stupa, we retired for another long Chinese buffet lunch. Not a lot to do in Vientiane, so eating passes the time.

Quite a lot of French influence still with many French restaurants and wine shops.

Heading for the hills tomorrow, not sure when the next post will be possible. Have to leave Laos by 2nd April.

Strange to think we'll be back in a few weeks!