THE END

We're in Hanoi once again. 1 flight down, 2 to go.

We won't have internet access till next week so it is here that this adventure and blog ends and we say goodbye. Thank you everyone for your love and support and to all of those that left comments or kept in touch via other means. It has been exciting sharing our experience with you all. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did sharing.

Home James and don't spare the horses.

WE'RE COMIN' HOME

Yep, that's right! If all goes to plan we're scheduled to land at Brisbane airport at 10 am on Saturday, 19th February 2010.

A couple of days ago we had a family meeting and decided to cut our trip short and come home earlier than planned. We're tired and are over travelling (me and the kids anyway) and want to come home to our family and friends and a somewhat "normal" life.

It's been an unbelievable adventure surpassing our dreams and expectations. We've met some amazing people and have learnt so much not only about other cultures but also about ourselves. We've been saddened but also inspired by others. We've seen and done so much in a relatively short amount of time. We've had some great times, some good times and also some not so good times.

We leave Luang Prabang tomorrow at 2 pm for Hanoi, overnight in Hanoi then to Brisbane via Singapore.

Time is of the essence and we've still got shopping to do tonight :) and Dave and I are dining, without the kids, at Tamarind, owned by an Aussie expat and a must do in Luang Prabang.

PHOU SI HILL

Right in the centre of Luang Prabang town lies a set of steps. 138 steps and then another 190 steps until you reach the top of Phou Si Hill.




















Where you can see magnificent views over the town and surrounds.

Where sits many golden buddhas and other statues.

Apparently the best time to go and view is sunrise or sunset but Dave went in the afternoon whilst I had a nap.

More photos here.

ELEPHANT VILLAGE

Arriving at the Elephant Village we were introduced to the elephants and given basic mahout training. Dave first.















Sof, you're next.

Me third but I don't like it. Get me off! Jayden, no way.

Before we go for a ride lets feed them some bananas.

Jayden and I will happily sit on a howdah though. And later Sofie will move from the howdah to the head. No fear, that's our girl.

Back to the camp for lunch then Dave and Sofie will sit on the heads and trek through the jungle whilst Jayden and I will check into our lodge.

Afterwards, we took a boat ride to Tad Sae Waterfall but unfortunately it's the dry season and there's not much water. The zip line was still operating though so Sofie got her thrills.

Back to the camp by boat for pool time and beer.

Then a game of cards overlooking the Nam Khan River.

Now, if we don't get an animal or two when we get home I think there'll be some serious trouble. The kids are getting attached to anything on four legs and named this pussy Midnight.

Communicating with the Laos people is somtimes a bit difficult and Sofie was in hysterics last night when wanting some soy sauce which they didn't understand, I asked for "egg sausage sauce" after Dave's suggestion. What else would you call it?

After dinner we were again taken by boat to the lodge and waking at 6 am this morning to bath the elephants. Dave was the only one to give it a go. We just watched on.

Was it Dave or the elephants getting a bath?

Ride them back to the camp now they're clean and fresh for new visitors today.

And we're back in town.

More photos here.

DAILY ALMS GIVING TO MONKS

Luang Prabang is considered a holy city in Laos. In Buddhism, the Monks receive their daily food from a ritual, held very early in the morning which is called giving Alms to the Monks.

Being the morning person that I am I wasn't going to miss this opportunity to partake in the ritual and made Dave get up too to take some photos and video.




















Approached by a Laos lady I bought my food; sticky rice and crackers for 15,000 kip (under $2).

And later bought another sticky rice for 5,000. Women have to kneel, never pointing their feet at the Monks whilst Men are allowed to stand.

Food received during the alms becomes their breakfast and lunch, after midday, and they are only allowed to drink water.

What is quite sad is the children placed with baskets or cardboard boxes (from poor families) to collect food which the Monks give away.

I've watched this girl for the past two mornings praying for food to feed her family.

I can't imagine it would be hygenic with many hands touching the food. Another thing us Westerners take for granted!

More photos here.

KUANG SI FALLS

Yesterday, after lunch, we organised our own transport via the guest house to take us to Kuang Si Falls.




















Also Tat Kuang Si Park is home to the Free the Bears Rescue Centre. There are a number of bears cared for at the Centre which have been rescued from traffickers and poachers.

Continuing along the track to the main waterfall until it was time for a steep ascent where Dave and Sofie climbed to the very top to get a view to the bottom. Jayden was eager to go swimming.

Jumping off the waterfalls and rope swinging into the ponds is popular and Dave and Sofie were brave enough to give the rope swinging a go but not the jumping. Movies here and here.

Not from a big waterfall anyway, but a smaller one was ok.

Jayden was happy to paddle around and play with his stick.

Amongst the night markets is a little side street selling food, mostly vegetarian with chicken and fish also being grilled and it was here that we wanted to give a shot. 10000 kip ($1.25) for a big plate where you served yourself food and then it was stir fried to reheat however looks can be deceiving and it really wasn't that good. Anyway, at least I gave street food a go as did Dave, Sofie and Jayden with their chicken on a stick at the waterfalls.

More photos here.

LASTLY IN LAOS, LUANG PRABANG

Guess what this is? "Cough, gush, splat." Well, that's the sound of Jayden spewing everywhere in his bed just after midnight last night. He's been all good today though so it must have just been something didn't agree with him. A quick clean up and into bed with us so with Dave snoring on one side, Jayden on the other and me waiting for the next vomit there wasn't much sleep happening.

But at least I had plenty of opportunity to catch up on some today when we left Vang Vieng and were driven to our last stop in Laos, Luang Prabang.

What does one do on a 6 hour long drive?

Some school work:

Play nintendo:
















And sleep (love mini vans):

Laos is an absolutely beautiful country.

So many gorgeous sights.

Some just hard to fathom.

The road to Luang Prabang is very windy. We had lunch at the very top of a mountain.

Not long after arriving at our guest house, Villa Saykham, we could hear music and stepped outside to see the novices at the Wat next door making beautiful music.

We ate at a restaurant tonight, the Coconut Garden. However, I've found what and where I'm eating for the rest of the time here. I'll take pics tomorrow night.

Dave still in his groove.

And eating a Luang Prabang speciality, Pork and Buffalo Skin in Coconut Milk and Pickled Fish Roe;

And Air Dried Buffalo.

The markets operate every night from 5 pm to 10 pm and as we love market shopping couldn't resist spending some kip. Jayden got a new blanky. You should see the remains of his old one, there's nothing but rope like pieces left.

More photos here.

VANG VIENG VERY GOOD

With nothing planned today and the kids not wanting to do anything it was a slow start to the day with me going back to bed after breaky and a shower after being up just before 5 am.

On one of my little walk arounds yesterday I found a track heading to a cave and a lagoon so after getting the kids some lunch and setting them up with movies Dave and I set out.

First stop though was lunch overlooking the river.















Across the rice fields we started our trek.

We lost track of time taking the scenery in but guessing about 40 minutes later we reached the Pha Poak cave and mountain view.

Seeing the ladders and what was ahead I decided to stay below for some quiet time.















And when I seen the photos later I was glad I did.















We were told ten minutes to the top. Yeah right! At least 40 minutes later Dave descended.

Inside the cave.

The spectacular view from the top.

Another 1 kilometre further (we were told) to Lu Si Cave and the lagoon.

I was imagining naked swimming scenes from The Blue Lagoon.

But we were told by others we passed the water was too cold to swim. Still the walk was beautiful.

After walking for around one and a half hours (in thongs) we hitched a ride home on the back of bikes for 20000 kip ($2.50) each as we were getting worried about the kids as we'd been gone about 3 hours by now. And also Dave and I were both limping by then (Dave a calf injury from way back and me a hip flexor one from Vientianne)

Tonight, we went back to the same restaurant we went to for lunch as the food was amazing.

Another traditional Lao dish - Larp Pa (minced fish cooked with spicy seasoning, herbs and mint leaves. Fantastic food!

More photos here.