Laos - taking our time

How did they get in there? How did they get in there?
Kayaking in Vang Vieng - note the nerdy life jackets... Kayaking in Vang Vieng - note the nerdy life jackets...
...not required by the 'tubers' partying downstream! ...not required by the 'tubers' partying downstream!
Finally, some peace & quiet on the river Finally, some peace & quiet on the river
Vang Vieng waterfront Vang Vieng waterfront
Caving on a 'tube' Caving on a 'tube'
Caving sans tube - about the limit of my comfort zone... Caving sans tube - about the limit of my comfort zone...
Returning home late on the Nam Song, Vang Vieng Returning home late on the Nam Song, Vang Vieng
...lucky I'm not a big fat trougher! ...lucky I'm not a big fat trougher!
Sunset over the Nam Song - not appreciated by many here Sunset over the Nam Song - not appreciated by many here
Andrew doing his best to distract Nina Andrew doing his best to distract Nina
Laos mud is the worst so far! Laos mud is the worst so far!
This should get it off... This should get it off...
Bloody weather. This scenery should be amazing! Bloody weather. This scenery should be amazing!
Another river, Nina volunteers again for the 'depth test' Another river, Nina volunteers again for the 'depth test'
At least it's good weather for rice... At least it's good weather for rice...
More Lao mud. Yuk yuk yuk yuk yuk More Lao mud. Yuk yuk yuk yuk yuk
The Buddha Park, Vientiane The Buddha Park, Vientiane
Monks enjoying their day trip Monks enjoying their day trip
Very photogenic stuff Very photogenic stuff
The main shabang - Pha That Luang - Laos' national monument The main shabang - Pha That Luang - Laos' national monument
Offerings to Buddha Offerings to Buddha
Note the 'sticky rice' offerings stuck to this dragon Note the 'sticky rice' offerings stuck to this dragon
Typical street, Vientiane Typical street, Vientiane
Nothing like saying it how it is... Nothing like saying it how it is...
Goldsmith at work, Vientiane jewellers market Goldsmith at work, Vientiane jewellers market
Outside our lunch stall - wholesome enough... Outside our lunch stall - wholesome enough...
...inside our lunch stall - surprised there was space to sit down! ...inside our lunch stall - surprised there was space to sit down!
Sunset overlooking the Mekong and Thailand beyond Sunset overlooking the Mekong and Thailand beyond
Trying to rein in the beer budget Trying to rein in the beer budget
Laos' Independence War memorial, outside Vientiane Laos' Independence War memorial, outside Vientiane
Karsts and forests near Kong Lor Karsts and forests near Kong Lor
Sheltering from the midday heat Sheltering from the midday heat
Laundry day Laundry day
Farming the riverbanks in dry season Farming the riverbanks in dry season
Working in the heat Working in the heat
The Nam Hin Bun River, after spending 7.5km underground The Nam Hin Bun River, after spending 7.5km underground
Enjoying the view from a remote guesthouse Enjoying the view from a remote guesthouse
Dry season: endless red dust Dry season: endless red dust
Village children Village children
Seconds before one of the white ducks becomes a slingshot victim Seconds before one of the white ducks becomes a slingshot victim
Cheeky local children Cheeky local children
The 'mouth' of the Nam Hin Bun, Kong Lor Cave The 'mouth' of the Nam Hin Bun, Kong Lor Cave
Heading into the underworld... Heading into the underworld...
...with our rather weedy (and leaking) boat ...with our rather weedy (and leaking) boat
Stalactites underground Stalactites underground
Phew! Made it to the other side Phew! Made it to the other side
The return journey... The return journey...
...light at the end of the tunnel ...light at the end of the tunnel
Slash'n'burn farming in action... Slash'n'burn farming in action...
...and from a distance, its effects ...and from a distance, its effects
Uses for old bombs (3) - boats (bottom right of picture) Uses for old bombs (3) - boats (bottom right of picture)
Uses for old bombs (4) - herb planters Uses for old bombs (4) - herb planters
Drowned trees courtesy of the Nam Theun hydroelectric dam Drowned trees courtesy of the Nam Theun hydroelectric dam
Sunrise over the Nam Theun reservoir Sunrise over the Nam Theun reservoir
The village of Ban Tha Long, relocated away from the dam The village of Ban Tha Long, relocated away from the dam
French colonial coach house in Savannakhet French colonial coach house in Savannakhet
St Theresa's Catholic Church, Savannakhet St Theresa's Catholic Church, Savannakhet
Breaking in the sunshine. Note the terrible parking in the background... Breaking in the sunshine. Note the terrible parking in the background...
Grilled banana vendor in Savannakhet (they're better raw!) Grilled banana vendor in Savannakhet (they're better raw!)

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