Laos is a very quaint country that is gradually opening up to the outside world. We paid a brief visit to Laos - first by boat along the Mekong River to Luang Prabang, and then by air to Vientiane. We found Luang Prabang to be a sleepy town full of Wats and backpackers.

Ventienne is a capital city that is has the feel of another era. The new shopping centre makes a great contrast with the older, bigger market next door. We liked That Luang, an impressive golden structure that glistened in the sunlight.