Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang

Sabadee!

I'm now tucked into a little cafe in the centre of Luang Prabang, Laos, via an hour's flight courtesy of Lao Air. The flight itself was beautiful in terms of scenery, but a little worrying since I was in a tiny plane (AT7 if that means anything) - propellor and all. LP is already my favorite place so far - the people are SO sweet and it's a lot cheaper here too! On recommendation from people I met in Chiang Mai, I'm staying in a guest house right next to the main rd & night market, it's 4,000kip/night which is under £3.50, ad the street food is incredible- you can get a whole fish on a stick for £1.20, will try that tomorrow, and a plate of buffet food (noodles, spring rolls, chicken curry etc) for 80p, which is what I went with in the end. Met a couple while eating, it transpired they live in Herent Drive, Clayhall, & are members of Clayhall shul- they thought I was brave being on my own, I thought they were brave backpacking in their 50s. We all thought it was amazing that we met on the other side of the world.

Dad, I finally found someone who supports Arsenal, I have a picture to prove it!

Anyway, it's very beautiful here- the plan is to hire a bicycle tomorrow for about 50p and have a look round the city & temples, before heading to a local cinema to catch a film - you hire a latest release & a room for like £2, then more street food (the Oreo milkshake is beckoning but I'm stuffed from the buffet) and maybe a coffee & a cinnamon bin from the Scandinavian bakery. That means Scandi food, not prices!!

Just saw An altercation between some young Lao men- they're not unceasingly nice then! A policeman stepped in to break it up- there's the People's Democratic Republic then for you. My guest house room has an amazing sign with my favourite ever example of broken Engrish, will take a photo or maybe write it here tomorrow. In the meantime, these are from Lao immigration forms (ps I now have the coolest visa ever in my passport) :

"please complete the form in block lathers"

"I certify that the stalement made by me in this form are true, comprete and conect to best of my belief".

Until the next update,

many loves

Louise xxx

ps. I finally had the first thing even close to pho, t a lovely place on the bank of the Nam Khan river, the Arthouse cafe, and it was simply amazing. Yes!!