The Navigator is up early, three of them have booked to go to Mandolao Elephant Conservation Centre out on the Nam Khan River, they are going walking with elephants and seeing how the conservation bit works. I did this on the Intrepid trip 3 years ago and think it’s worth doing. I wave her goodbye, thankful for the solitude for a short time, don’t tell her I said that!!!

I have a late breakfast, then a short walk through the streets, then up to Viewpoint Cafe for an iced latte. It’s peaceful, except for the riverboats  full of Chinese tourists on short river cruises singing karaoke to loud Chinese music, obviously they are being plied with copious amounts of BeerLao because the singing is dreadful.

I find a massage place and get myself a foot massage, which helps my swollen feet and ankles a bit.

It’s been a tough morning so I return to our hotel to chill and read a book. The temperature is very pleasant.

The Navigator finds her way home, its been a epic day I think. I hear the baby elephant is a hit, their guide is a very impressive young Lao man from a remote village who has learned English by watching TV and going to where Helen and I were last night. Check the photos out.

Rest time this arvo, then dinner at Le ‘Elephant, an expensive (relatively speaking) restaurant but a western meal is nice after nearly 2 weeks of spicy Asian food and rice.

Ciao from Laos

Pauolo