Merry Xmas from Sam and Stuart

Here are a few snaps from a trip we did through southern Laos in November/December. Around 30 photos are downloading, so be patient!

Shiny pagoda guardian in Mukdahan, Thailand.

Nothing beats a coconut at the end of a long bike ride! Savannakhet.

A fisherman checking his net in the early morning, Pakse.

Relaxing for a sunset meal by the river at Pakse.

Sam by a small waterfall not far out of Pakse enroute to Tad Lo.

Sam conducting reading lessons with the son of the owner at Tim Guesthouse, Tad Lo.

Prince Souphanouvong (The Red Prince) Bridge, bombed by the Americans during the Indochina war. Plans are afoot to rebuild it with Japanese funding in 2005. We're not holding our breath -- they'll need to sort out the road leading here first.

On the way home from the broken bridge in Salavan.

Red ant eggs at the central market in Salavan -- classic northeastern Thai food which is also very popular in southern Laos.

Sign enroute to Katamtok Waterfall.

Stuart at Katamtok Waterfall. It's a drop of over 100m and the sound, even from here, is deafening.

Sam: "Nobody goes to these places for a reason you know..."

Temple statues striking a pose in Attapeu.

Monk cycling by the old ferris wheel in Attapeu. The ferris wheel is about as exciting as it gets in this town.

Relaxing at the goat restaurant at Attapeu. Goats are staked out the front and they BBQ your choice. The blood comes served up alongside as a drink. US$20 for a small goat, or $2 for a plate of just a few bits. The blood's thrown in for free.

Pushing the bike after flooding it for the first time. Luckily a village was only a kilometre or so away.

Children posing for the camera while our motorbike is rebuilt for the first time of the day. We use a digital camera -- the kids loved seeking their own photo straight away.

As the bike is rebuilt for the second time that same day, Stuart checks that the guys are all registered with the Lao Democratic Motorcyclist Mechanics People's Party.

A particularly well-sealed, spacious and safe section of the "road" from Attapeu to Route 13.

Sam strolling down a bamboo pathway on Don Kho, a small island just north of Pakse.

A wat on Don Kho, near Pakse.

This cow really didn't want to get in our ferry, which took us from Champassak to Don Khong.

Stuart: "Nobody told me this was a cattle carrier..."

Trees at Wat Phu.

Sam riding home across Don Khong. The light was sublime and it must be incredibly beautiful when the rice is growing.

Sam on our veranda at the floating Salaphae Resort on Don Khon in the Four Thousand Islands. With it's high, thatched roof ceilings, white-sheet beds, dreamy mostquito nets, kind-of solar hot water and biodegradable loos, it set us back a whole $18 dollars a night -- our biggest splash out.

A monk wandering over the bridge that connects Don Khon to Don Khong, Four Thousand Islands.

Small boats tied up at the base of the old French pier, Don Khon.

Drying fish at the Vietnamese market in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.

Riding off into the sunset, finally reaching Route 13 after an 11-hour motorbike trip from Attapeu. We had a great ride, lots of beautiful spots, really rewarding and very glad we did it (once!). We survived it in one piece and hope 2005 treats you the same way!