More southern Laos

The lovely Wan and BooBoo!

While in Champasak we also took the local boat over to Don Daeng island and wandered along hot, dusty, traffic-free lanes, visiting sleepy wats and taking in the sights and smells of village life. Don Daeng is a classic mid-Mekong island with sandy shores and rice paddies and a very slow pace of life.

Our driver seems confident

I do feel like a "welcomed guest" here. Long may it remain so

The monk "guarding" this temple failed to stir from his sleep either the first time we visited or an hour later when we returned. That's him in front of the Buddha 

Lots of buffaloes

This is perhaps my favourite shot of the entire trip. The afternoon light onthe water as we returned to our boat was just stunning. 

I had a paddle to soothe my hot feet

Back in Champasak a village festival was in full flow at the local wat.

Jacques and Wan's son Archie and his friend were fascinated by the drawing process

This is one of the 19th-century temples with a curious mix of European, Vietnamese and Lao architecture.

We also went to the renowned Champasak shadow puppet show where 14 local part time musicians and actors provide the score and voices for a joyful rendition of the story of Phralak-Phralam from the Ramayana using little more than a torch and a white sheet. Very atmospheric.

A classic scene

Jacques and Wan, proprietors of Nakorn Guest House. Good fun people!

After 10 days in Champasak we said goodbye and went on up north to our second home – Luang Prabang.

Lovely Luang Prabang

Trevann presented some money we had raised with events in the UK to Max at the Music for Everyone School when we got to Luang Prabang. Gratefully received