Shan in Japan

I can finally access my blog again!!  Thanks to all of you who have posted comments.  I have not been able to view them, thus unable to reply - apologies.

Last days in China were a bit stressful as my bus from Kunming to the Laos border broke down and it was on the last day before my visa expired.  I didn't make it on time of course and had to spend the night in Mengla - a real dump of a place.  I relayed my bus breakdown excuse to the Chinese officials at the border and they were intent on fining me 500 yuan, then just waved me on with a smirk.  So I walked the 3km border zone where the nice tar-sealed Chinese road abruptly ended and the pot holed dirt road of Laos began.   For the first 4 days in Laos I hung out in a small village  - Muang Ngoi which is only accessible by boat.  Time has really stopped here, with thatched huts on stilts dotted amongst the rice paddy fields.  After China, the people are refreshingly nice (there were nice people in China too, of course!) and not in your face trying to sell you stuff. 

Now I'm in Luang Prabang just in time for the Light Festival.  This is a great place with Wats on every corner and beautiful old French architecture.  Nice to just chill out by the Mekong river drinking decent coffee and eating crossiants.  Haven't been taking many photos lately but will upload some perhaps when I get to Vientiane, where hopefully there is a speedier internet connection.

Also updated the travel map record: http://www.dokonano.com/shanakin/