Vang Vieng, Laos

Today was the day to remove my bandage.  I haven’t had a proper shower in 18 days - I have been sponge bathing and using the wand but very carefully because even though my dressing is waterproof, I could not afford to have it leak and possibly infect the incision. Today I tried it out – I had a really long shower and it remained dry.  Then, very slowly, I pulled it all off and luckily it is all healed and looks OK if not a bit wrinkly and puckered –

I finished a book then went for lupper which was fresh rolls-

and laab, a Laotian dish-

which in this case was ground chicken with basil leaves. I have given laab two tries and there will not be a third!

I also had a mango smoothie which was excellent. I went back to my room and did some more research because it was too hot to be outside so the best place was in the AC!  I had a little snooze and then got up at sunset.

It costs $95 US to go up in a hot air balloon-

There were also lots of power motoring or power paragliders in the skies- 

Kayaking is popular-

The view from a rooftop bar –

Street food, grilled fish-

Of course, the day would not be complete without a visit to a wat.  Sysoumangkhararam Temple is just around the corner-

Tomorrow I’ll be picked up by a van at 11:30 to move on to Vientiane, my last city in Laos.