Out seats were not very comfortable since we had to share them with some backpacks!!
At 18.30 we got to our, prebooked overnight stay... checked in... and had dinner. Our last guest house in Thailand, before setting off to Laos, was very nice....even the food. We decided to book our accomodation for the following day in advance, to avoid any hassle (this turned out to be a good deal).
The next morning we set off early, around 8.30. The mini-van took us to immigration to have our passports stamped. Janet did not pay anything while Yakof did....reason being that the immigration officer told Janet she was beautiful. When it was Yakof's turn, being a man, he had to pay...needless to say Yakof was that little bit pissed off :)
The cross between Thailand to Laos took only 2 minutes and we arrived in Huoay Xai...again our passports were checked here and we eventually made our way, to the slow boat. The trip was nice, all in all....though not very comfortable, the scenery during the 6-hour trip was great.
As soon as we arrived we made our way to the guest house. Though it was relatively a short way it was made difficult by the fact we had to walk up a sandy hill, Yakof had to carry the two backpacks!!!
We enjoyed our stay there, apart from the fact that there was no hot water, our toilet was invaded by ants and Janet's dinner was disgusting.
We spent chatting with the guest house's owner, Deth, who is a 24-year old guy whose heart was broken by a girl 5-months ago. We even played Connect 4 with him....he proved himself vey good!! ...but not enough :D
The next morning we woke up early to catch the slow-boat again. This time the trip was nicer as the boat was much more comfortable. Bigger and with a sort of 'sun roof'. During the trip Janet managed to finish off her book on Buddhism and Yakof chatted with a very nice English lady who travelled round the world and was giving us tips on where to go.
As soon as we arrived in Luang Prabang we dashed off the boat to find an accomodation. We found lodging at a hotel which was over our budged (Lm4 a night when our budget is Lm2.50 a night) but the room was very comfortable...and the shower....ahhhhh....the best one we had since we've been in Asia...we felt spic and span.
The first night was spent going round the famous handicraft market and eating some very nice street food, whilst looking for a more affordable accomodation.
The day after we changed our accomodation as we had found a guesthouse for half the price we were paying. The guest house is, till now, the nicest accomodation we had....no shower in the room but the common showers are very clean. This day was Christmas Eve so we were planning to do something nice in the evening...little did we know how the day was going to turn round. In the morning we went to the National Museum, which Janet liked and Yakof did not really enjoy. Later on we climbed a flight of stairs to see some nice views...we did not go on as we had to pay to see some temple. So we took some photos and left. When we where at the internet Yakof realised that he did not have his mobile...went back to the guesthouse...came back to the internet...the mobile 
was gone!!! We rushed off to the last place we had seen it...up the steps...but it was dark and not to be found. Yakof was devastated and, needless to say, very angry...so much so he did not want to go out that evening....and it was Christmas Eve!!! After a while things cooled off and we decided to go out and had a really great time!!
We went to this restaurant and just paid US$ 7 for a buffet which included : pork, chicken, steamed fish, bbq fish, pumpkin soup, pizza, mashed potatoes, miniature beef burgers, salads and even fruit!!!!
We ate the equivalent of two days....the food was delicious. The only small let down was the wine we ordered...it cost us Lm5 and was corked. But Yakof managed to turn the situation around by turning the corked wine into some very nice Sangria, by just adding some sprite and fruit. We later went back to the guest house (after Yakof went again up the stairs to look for his mobile) with the intention of drinking the rest of the wine...but as soon as Janet touched here pillow she dozed off....
The following morning we went to report the missing mobile...the police were not that helpful. They asked us to go back for the report before leaving Luang Prabang...so we decided to stay another day. Eventually we headed off to a waterfall....it was simply amazing. The walk towards it was very pleasant. We saw protected bears and a tiger and we swam in one of the three swimming areas. The water was ice cold!!! We did not manage to go to Pak Ou Caves though as they were closed by the time we finsihed...
In the evening we tried calling our parents ourselves as they were not getting through to us for some reason. Yakof managed to get through while Janet managed only later through her mobile phone. We tried, in vane, to find Le Cinema, a place were supposively you can rent a room and watch a movie. We spent the rest of the night playing cards and drinking our Christmas' Eve sangria.
The last day in Luang Prabang is the day we are writing our blog...we have been nearly five hours at the internet cafe...or at least Janet did as Yakof went, once again, to look for his mobile up the steps. Whilst at the internet cafe Janet's mobile rang....and guess who it was....Yakof !!!!! The mobile was found!!!! His tenacity was rewarded!!! This proves that Asian people are honest people....Yakof tipped the women who kept his mobile (at the ticket office) Lm2...which means he was realllllllyyyyyyyyy happy :)
Well what else to say at this point....tomorrow morning we are off to Vang Vieng, where we will be spending our New Year....so 2008 will kick off there....Vang Vieng (Laos)....'u il-kbir ghadu gej.... :)'
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