Geographical:
We opted for flying into Vientiane rather than overland due to a Cambodian public holiday that delayed the overland visa application. We travelled through Laos only by bus - sometimes the bus route was extremely winding and we had to watch the poor locals use the tiny plastic bags provided by the busboy! From Vientiane, we travelled North to Vang Vieng (Friends city) and even more North to Luang Prabang. From Luang Prabang we went East towards Phonsavan (Plain of Jars) and further East to Sam Neua. Then we headed back west to Luang Nam Tha and to Huay Xai where we did the Gibbon Experience.
We planned to spend two weeks in Laos, but this country is so laid back and beautiful, that we ended up staying for nearly a month!
We had great weather - warm, sunny days. We only had a couple of rainy days in Luang Nam Tha which gave us a time-out to catch up on internet activities 
Laos favourites:
- Gibbon Experience
- Sam Neua Bun Nam (boat racing festival)
- Watching 24 Friends episodes in one day!
- The ever-friendly people
- Taking millions of photos of the Laos children in the villages along the bus routes
- Soaking up Luang Prabang (Great Shopping!!)
The ‘not so cools’:
- Hospital in Vientiane
- The bus route between Luang Prabang and Phonsavan
- All the bombing and UXO’s
Basic words:
- Hallo: Sabai dii! (always said in a high pitch and with a smile)
- Thank you very much: Khawp jai dalai!
Overall:
Laos exceeded all my expectations! Go to Paris and you see the Eiffel Tower, go to China and you see the Great Wall, go to Cambodia and you see Angkor Watt - GO TO LAOS AND YOU SEE NOTHING, BUT YOU EXPERIENCE LIFE IN A DIFFERENT, REFRESHING WAY. It is difficult to explain this effect that Laos has on one - you will only understand once you have been here.
Eon and I both agree that Laos is our favourite country so far!
Click on the link below to view the gallery for Laos: