Bett turns 60

Bett, BB, Tom, Kerry and Pete have just visited Hanoi for Mum's 60th Birthday. She had a good time seeing us here, a big thanks to Pete for making the journey seeing he was only here at Christmas.

Luang Prabang 7-10 February 2008

After Chiang Mai we still had a few more days to kill before I had to return to work so we hopped into Laos for a few days to a little place called Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang is in northern Laos and is known for temples. I had booked us into a farm stay place. Avocado farm that is! Slightly odd but just what we needed. We had a bungalow on a block with grass and dogs and cats and kids and a random chook.

I think I now know what Sumo thought of my temple fascination when he visited us in China, because I have to say the temples were nice but there are about 40 of them in a 2km radius. A bit over the top.

Luang Prabang is a quiet relaxing little place with all the things you can do in and around Chiang Mai on a much smaller scale. Perhaps like Chiang Mai was 10 years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed myself there and would go again.

Chiang Mai 3-7 February 2008

Hanoi is freezing cold at the moment as we get the wind and suffer the horrid effects of the Chinese weather. Sorry to our Chinese friends who are having troubles getting home. Trev is still away, so Tom, Claire and I escaped the cold and went to Chiang Mai to see Dad, Dorklag and Pete for a few days.

Chiang Mai was gloriously warm. We considered it hot by our standards but still not quite hot enough to swim, although we did try for a brief moment.

The kids had a great time over there, running around on grass and having their first go at fishing at Dad's block in Bo Sang (otherwise known as Bonny Doon) and then a trip out to Mae Rim had them up close and personal with some elephants.