Bolivan Plateau

Yesterday we rented a motorbike for perhaps the last time in southeast asia. We didn't crash so I guess we're doing pretty good.

We drove 85km out of Pakse to a village called Tadlo. It was a really great trip, and a real nice place to visit. To be honest we didn't do too much. We spent some time swimming in the amazingly clear and refreshing river, and just sort of wandering through the village. (it was really small).

The swim was the highlight! There's a waterfall right in the village where lots of locals we're swimming, bathing and spear-fishing. Had I been one of the naked local kids splashing about, I'd find it a little unnerving that the older guys were poking around with their spears while I swam in the buff. I'm not a naked local kid, so this wasn't a worry of mine.

So the swim, it was great! It's still so hot here. It's easily 35c or more during the day in the shade, and there hasn't been much of a breeze. So naturally the cool water was a nice relief from the heat of southern Laos. We actually walked a little upstream to get away from the spears, and came across a second waterfall. This one was even more beautiful than the first, and was occupied by only a handful of local boys (who were also naked, or wearing only briefs) just having a blast splashing in the water.

Some of the kids were jumping of the falls. Of course I wanted to give it a shot, and the kids were happy to show me the trail to the top. It wasn't that big of a jump, but it was fun none the less.

Today we return to Pakse, and are just hanging around and sweating it out. The food in Pakse has been top notch! There's a really popular Thai/Italian restaurant! Wouldn't that be an interesting combo in Canada. However, the place is consistently packed with Thai tourists, and Erin and I have had the chance to eat there twice. They've got the best pasta we've had in Asia thus far. It's really good! (sorry Jim no picture of it.)

Tomorrow we board a bus to Bangkok! We've gone full circle.