Biker grrlll

Having arrived late last night into Luang Namtha we spent a lazy morning reading, blogging and catching the sun. To compensate we then hired mountain bikes and set off for the local scenic waterfall. Despite this being first time on a bike for fifty years for Maggie, and a puncture, we made it, even biking through torrential rain. Tomorrow we leave Laos and enter China, we have both liked our time here and would recommend it - the people seem genuinely friendly, the scenery is great and the food great!

Jumbo sized fun

After the days cooking we had a day getting friendly with some elephants. We learned the commands for left, right etc then we were off down the tracks and into the river- great fun. After lunch - rice and veg for us, green bananas for our steeds, we mounted up again and took them back to the river for their bath - they loved a good hard scrub behind the ears - a lovely experience.

Tomorrow we have a long drive north to Luang Namtha, where we spend a couple of nights before crossing into China on Friday - where we will be camping quite a lot at first so probably no Internet for a while - onwards onwards!

Masterchef Lao style

Inspired by possibly the best street food we have ever had - a vegetarian buffet - that cost us less than £1 each - we signed up for a Lao cookery class which was fantastic. After being taken around the market and being told about the local ingredients we went to the class and cooked a five course lunch - see results below. Lots and lots of fresh herbs, chillies to taste, buffalo bile, tripe and beautiful fish, sticky rice and some amazing fruit all cooked over an open charcoal stove - a great experience! We were given a cook book as well so expect some unusual grub in Bickley!

Waterfalls

Yesterday we had a long drive day to get us to Luang Pradang, where we end the first leg of the trip. We left at 7 and arrived at 4, so to refresh ourselves we stopped for a couple of hours at a waterfall outside town for a dip - good times. On the evening we had the most fantastic veggie buffet on the street - pics to follow! The other pic below us some of the scenery enroute - this is a stunning part of the world

Lagoons and lightning

We continue on our way north towards the Chinese / Laos border, climbing up through some spectacular mountain scenery, heading for the town of Vieng Vang, which turns out to be a bit of backpack heaven or hell, depending on your point of view - full of tacky bars and restaurants. Anyway enroute we looked at a dried fish market, and then we had a lovely swim in the "Blue Lagoon" a natural pool up on the hills - then lounged about playing cards and sun bathing.The next morning we were awoken by the most spectacular thunder and lightning plus torrential rain, so the day had to be spent sampling the delights of town :-( I did manage to spot a cockfight though - pretty gruesome I must say.

Country three

Our tour of SE Asia continues apace, another hard days drive takes us to Vientiane in Laos - on the banks of the mighty Mekong again. Very laid back town, with strong signs of the years where the French ran the place, from the food to the buildings. Only had one free day here, so zoomed round the main temples and the museum - very interesting view of the whole American imperialist vs local heroes situation. Out for a great meal of coconut curry decorated with a chilli flower which I was daft enough to eat. Moving on again tomorrow up onto the mountains, China is getting nearer!

Camping it up in Thailand

Enroute to Laos , we had our first camping experience of the trip, in a sugar cane field near the border. Out came the supplies, the campfire was lit and the crew set up a cocktail bar before barbecuing ribs and chicken, with Chinese salad and mashed potato. This is not normal Dragoman crew behaviour and they assure us that next time we will be doing all the cooking - we did all help a bit here as well. With then silly games around the fire it was a great night, Maggie enjoyed it despite being nibbled all night by critters and not sleeping much - plus the al fresco toilet was a joy :-)

Next report from Vientiane in Laos where we now are.