We made it out of Vietnam successfully, although it may be hard to believe that it took us 9 1/2 hours to cover 60 miles. Seriously. We booked a private car, or so we thought, from Sapa to Dien Bien Phu. The next morning, a huge minibus showed up. It could have seated 15 plus the driver. There were three of us. There was A/C. It was awesome. The drive is one of the most spectacular I have ever done. More description will follow, but right now we are in the throes of decision-making and have to get business done.

We're in Nong Khiaw in Luang Prabang Province in Laos. The village we were in last night, and this one, are the two most peaceful places I have perhaps ever seen. We were awoken only by the roosters crowing this morning, as there is almost no traffic in either of these places.

Laos is beautiful. And we have much more to say! But it will have to wait.