Laos - Vientiane

We are in Vientiane. It's the capital city of Laos, though you wouldn't know it, it's so relaxed and teenie. It rained the other day, the weather is all completely up the spout. I'm starting to suspect that the early rain season (due in May, not now!) is down to the rain-making projects in Thailand. It's really creepy - they distribute rainmaking chemicals and gases above 20,000 feet and it makes rain happen. I'm no expert, but I think messing with the weather might be asking for trouble. Only evil geniuses taking over the world are supposed to do that wierd stuff.

Only half the roads actually have tarmac on them. All the rest have got people standing in holes and either digging out, or shovelling in sand. They all seem to take it in turns to make a big mess and then move it about. So, when it rains, clay makes everything super-skiddy. When it dries up, everything turns to dust.

We've been chilling 5 star style today, after a few weeks of scumming it. We paid 3quid to go to a big posh hotel and sunbathe. We didn't realise quite how hot it was till we left and felt woozy. Scott's nose has gone all pink.

Laos really knows how to have a good time. It's not that they are crazy - they all go to bed at 11pm and there is even a curfew, you are not supposed to be seen on the streets. If you get caught, a policeman might blow a whistle at you. That's communism.

They've got the best Beer in the world. BeerLao. It's got 96% market share (communism, I tell you!). Everybody drinks it morning noon and night, this morning there were 4 lao lads having it for breakfast at 8.30am. Then they all go fishing. Sunset is playtime, then Beerlao, then bed.

Lao is also the cheapest place we've been. I think it's going to work out about 250quid for a month. So if you are ever out of work and fancy a big fat holiday this is the placeto come. And it's brilliant for kids. I don't know whether adults actually exist here, but there are kids running around all overthe place, it's just play, play, play.