Southern Laos- Tad Lo and Don Khong

Went on a tour from Don Khong to the smaller islands Don Kong (hardly confusing) and Don Det. This was one of the big attractions. The Japanese had built a railway from one end of the islands to the other to transport things to Vietnam. This is what was left of the railway.

A little girl in Don Khong village leading her water buffalo home, she was not impressed! I thought my kids had it tough on the farm!

One of the local buses, this one wasn't too bad but they cram as many as they can in. When they run out of seats they put stools in the middle. I had to climb over the stools to get to my seat.

On my way to Don Khong Island in Sipandon (4000 islands). Got stuck in a local 'tuk tuk' at what I was told the bus station but at least it took me where I wanted to go......3 1/2 hours cramped in with the locals and thier food for the week. Basically it's an open air, back of a truck with sides and a roof. We stopped in a small village along the way and got smarmed by about 30 people selling food. One was selling chicken on a stick, it literally looked like a run over squashed chicken that had then been cooked. Still had the head and feet on it.....I didn't buy one.....

Cute kids in the village above the waterfalls. They all love to clown around for the camera and then ask you for food or money or your jewelry or try to get into your bag. The westerners have truly spoilt these children. They think it's so fun to see their faces when they give them treats and things but it just encourages them to beg and the candy isn't good for their already bad teeth. It's sad, hopefully more people will realize and quit doing this. It's much better to give to a school, village leader or something like that so they can distribute fairly and everyone gets something. Only in Northern Thailand do I remember seeing children that haven't been affected by this and never asked for anything they were just truly happy to see you.

Tad Lo Falls in Bolevean Plateau, a beautiful spot where I spent a night.

One of the local buses.....this one wasn't too bad, usually the outside is much nicer looking than the inside. One local bus I took I swear was made in the 1940s and had plywood flooring with gaping holes everywhere.

My VIP sleeper bus bed, lucky me I wasn't in the middle!

OK the 'VIP sleeper bus could have been worse! Luckily (?) I was in the back row with 3 other tiny girls from England. It was basically a hard board with a little cushion a pillow and a blanket. The other people had to share bunkbeds and 2 people had to sleep in one bed! Most were strangers to each other and one lady was in her 50s, rather plump and had to share with a young, hefty 20s guy! Seriouusly these beds weren't even the size of a twin bed. They told us there was a toilet on board which there was, it a tiny 3' x 3' room crammed full of supplies you could spot a little tiny toilet.

But they did treat us, gave us a warm soy milk juice box, a little bag of chips, a bottle of water and in the morning a wet wipe!

Off the VIP bus at 6am to take a local bus to Tadlo Falls and to find a room and have a shower!

Beautiful place along the river with the Falls right in the village and another larger waterfall about 20 minutes away. It was refreshing to go for a swim in but strong currents so couldn't go too far.

Next day up to the main road to catch the local tuk tuk to Don Khong, the largest island in Siphandon, also known as 4000 islands as in the dry season (now) the water is low and there are little islands every where! Arrived and took a ferry boat over, nice quiet little island. At 10pm the young guy who was serving us at the riverside pub/restaurant asked us if we could pay our bill so he could go to bed! It was so cute and funny! We looked up and down the dirt road and it was pitch black so off to bed we went as well!

Next day went on a tour of the other islands and yet more waterfalls. I haven't seen as many waterfalls as temples though! Beautiful country, hard to believe it had been bombed so badly years ago.

Next stop, Cambodia border crossing!