From bad to good

We were in Pakxe which is South of the Laos capital and towards the border of Cambodia. I had just walked 40 minutes in the rain to a bank machine that would accept my Hong Kong bank card and I was wet and filthy because the main road out of the town was made of mud.

After I returned we walked to the local district museum which is in our guide books. It should have been open but it was closed. We then decided to walk to the local temple with a big sign outside saying visitors welcome. It was also closed. Dripping wet, feet covered in mud and looking at the closed doors of yet another temple Jen made the observation that Pakxe is shit. And I have to agree.

We were only in Pakxe because it is a town that breaks up the journey to Cambodia and we did not stay long. Not wanting Pakxe to be our last memory of Laos we journeyed a little further almost to the Cambodian border to an area known as the 4000 islands. Laos is landlocked but the islands have been formed as a result of the river creating small islands all concentrated round one particular area. We got a boat to one of the small islands and found a cabin for 15,000 kip a night (less than 1.50 quid between us). It had a hammock and a balcony overlooking the river and it was here that we relaxed and explored. We only stayed one night but it was really worthwhile seeing and the islands were fun to explore.

I have now left Laos and I am writing this from Siem Reap in Cambodia. We are staying in a really nice hotel and I will update with photos soon!

bx