Sala Hin Boun, Laos

Next day was a very casual affair with lots of catch-up going on with Andy & Jo and a short cycle ride around Tahkaek.

The following day we arranged our 2-day trek to Sala Hin Boun..an eco-lodge by the river which would allow us to explore Konglur Cave, a 7 km cavern which we could navigate by boat. That evening saw us at The Smiley Horse restaurant overlooking the Mekong having evenig meal together.

Up early the next day to depart from Tahkaek at 7.30am by coach to Ban Na Hin where we then shared a sawngthaew(van-like open taxi) with some Aussies to travel the remaining 1.5 hours to Sala Hin Boun. arrived around 3pm and spent the evening relaxing.

'Watching the world go' by was the general activity the following day as we relaxed and wnt for a short local walk in the afternoon. A bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon(oh bliss! the first wine since Australia) finished a perfect day.

Up at 8.45am next day to leave by small motorized canoe(3/4 man) for Konglur cave. An hour and a half on wooden seats was enough to give us reason to move around a lot, but the journey there was superb as we were able to view at first -hand everyday village life and to witness just how important the river is to villagers. Children playing, women doing their laundry and washing and fishing were just a few activities.

Konglur Cave was also very impressive, in places, 75m high x 75m wide and still used by the locals as a passage to the other side of the mountain!!

Aftr a picnic at the far end of the cave, we headed back through, ably assisted by our local guides, who even offered their flip-flops for us to walk on the gravel!!!

The following day, we headed back to the 'flesh-pots' of Thakaek (after oversleeping) and arrived early afternoon.

That evening was spent around the camp-fire seeing in the New Year and the staff and customers danced and drank till 2am!!!