I was up before Dave got in (tut, tut). Dirk hadn't got to the big golden thing yet so we decide to head off there after finding out its name (Phra That Luang). We eventually got a tuk-tuk there after a bit of haggling. It was a big golden thing, I think I'm getting to see too many of these things.

We headed to the market before going for some food. Dirk ordered Veggie rice and got Chicken, I ordered a Lemon juice and got an Apple shake. Even though it wasn't bad, we aren't going back there.

We all met up for our last meal together and had a few more carafes of beer. A Canadian lad from the guesthouse joined us, but he looked out of his depth, but we did explain all the in jokes.

It was an early night for us due to the flight in the morning. So we said all our goodbyes. :-(

Dave and I were up early to get to the airport by 6:30. We got a tuk-tuk which trundled it's way slowly there. We checked in and sat watching BBC World News, wondering what the flight would be like...

My guidebook says the following about Lao Aviation...

Most Western embassies have travel advisories warning against Lao Aviation... For some travellers, flying with Lao Aviation demonstrates bravado, but really it's not something you want to do if you don't really have to. Signs outside Lao Airports read, not too reassuringly "We wish you have a safe flight"

But 24 hours on the worst bus route in South East Asia was not something we wanted either.

As we were called to board, Koen showed up for his flight to Phnom Penh. We said another quick goodbye and went to board. Luckily we were on a Brazilian built plane and not a Chinese one.

The flight was completely uneventful. I even got a decent meal (relative to other inflight meals).

We landed at Hanoi airport, taxiing past a row of MIG intercepters in concrete bunkers (don't see that at East Midlands!). Customs took along time processing us with their gruff demeanors and uniforms full of ribbons and medals. But when we were through we were in Vietnam!