Today we finished our 2 weeks in Cambodia, with not just a little regret. It would have been easy to stay here a while longer. We loved the people here and the whole vibe of the country. It was easy to forget everything that they went through just 30 short years ago.

Fresh pastures await though, so it was off to Laos for us .

Think I mentioned the ticket we bought already (US$15 each from U Hong Travel / You Hong Guesthouse in Kratie). It turned out great. The guesthouse promised us seats in the front of the mini bus and we got them, the road up to Stung Treng was still partially under construction, so the 140 km took around 3 hours (after a delayed start where they loaded half of Kratie on the roof of the minibus). Arrived in Stung Treng just after noon, just in time for a bit of lunch at the wonderful Riverside Restaurant & Travel, which is run my Mr. T. Mr T. is the one that organised our ticket really, he has a deal with U Hong in Kratie. So he put us on a fast boat (Lonely Planet describes them as a surfboard with a car motor on the back, and that wasn't far wrong). After a cramped hours trip down the Mekong at 55kph, I couldn't hear anything anymore, but we were safely at the Cambodian/Laos border. Border 'formalities' went quickly with the border police in both Cambodia & Laos wanting US$1 each for 'stamps'. No suprises there.

Waiting for us on the Cambodia side was the promised mini-bus which took us from the Cambodian border post to the Laotian side. Formalities complete (we're in Laos!) we continued for a half hour or so to the riverside village of Ban Nakassang for a short boat trip over to Don Det. Arrived around 4pm - as promised, and despite the 2 hour delay starting. Super....

We didn't stay at U Hong in Kratie, but ate their, used their internet and booked the trip there. Definitely recommend them!