Don Det - 4000 islands, 13th, 14th, 15th March

Friday 13th March - Don Det Day 1

OK so it's been a good day and the 4,000 islands is an absolutely amazing place. Goodness knows if there are really 4000 of them but there are lots of (sometimes tiny) patches of land - all contributing to a stunning landscape.

Have to admit I slept terribly and was therefore just a bit grumpy this morning! - but had a relaxed breakfast with more lovely views and went for a little walk giving a pathetic excuse to stop for another drink after about 200 metres! - and then came back to our hut balcony and basically chilled for the rest of the day in hammocks. The view is absolutely stunning for here - as the name suggests we are also on the sunset side of the island - and the temperature is so hot you dont really feel like doing much at all. Nate started helping me to identify what online buisnesses I could realistically run that fitted my criteria (flexible for acting, good money, part time, mobile, internet based) and I spent some time thinking about that and he explained the basics of the buisness model to me which is actually a simple concept but the complexity lies in the detail and of course identifying the right buisness in the first place.

I swam in the Mekong - sigh of relief - Im happy as long as there is water - and started my book I found here (by the same author as The Thorn Birds - yes!) Approaching sunset me and Nate went tubing and I swam some more. I love watching the local men fishing in the river and the women washing their clothes. But I have to not allow myself to think about what creatures are in the murky depths! I have seen a photo of an extremely large snake like creature that was caught in the Mekong and sometimes one wishes one didn't know these things

I swear its hotter at night here than it is in the day!

Went out to eat in evening with Nate and a young 20 year old laos girl who saw my laptop and struck up conversation. I showed her photos on my laptop and also my showreel and fortunately she got called away before I completely ran out of things to keep her entertained. I think she wanted to practice her English. Nate joined me after he'd been on the internet and who should then walk by but my good dutch friends Bas and David! They joined us for a drink as it was also Davids birthday. It was great to see them again and we went onto a Reggae bar for a few drinks and then once all the lights and music had been turned off in Laos fashion we headed down to the beach. There was a small crowd but not the bonfire which had enticed me down there so I stayed for maybe half an hour then headed back to the hut. Bas and Davids Irish friend Don seems really nice and he walked me back with his torch as Nate had left earlier in the evening. Felt quite tired but much cooler tonight thank goodness.

Money spent Breakfast (spanish omlette) and fruit milkshake 26,000, beer laos 10,000 lunch 8,000 book 10,000 ring rental 5,000. Meal 20,000 TOTAL

Saturday 14th March - Don Det day 2

Blanket lightening and thunder seemed to continue through much of the night. I liked it - very dramatic! Its also cool (literally too) being in a bamboo hut while it's raining which I am totally unaccustomed to in South East Asia. Its normally hot hot hot sun sun sun. I got up to go to the a outside loo in the night (there's a reason these are cjheap!) and the lightening was quite a sight over the 4,000 islands or however many it was we could see from our balcony. This view is just too cool. Nate was awake most of the night with a bug though, so I slept intermitantly. Went off to breakfast in the morning with David, Bass and their new travelling companion Irish Don (after I woke them up!). Then I chilled for a bit with Nate who was feeling rough before heading out on bikes to explore with the guys. Is overcast today and not hot like yesterday where you just didn't feel like doing a thing. I was glad for it because we were cycling for a long time over the most uncomfortably bumpy roads working those thigh muscles! - like really - it's been the best workout since I've been travelling! We actually went the wrong way for ages which didn't help but did eventually did find the waterfall which was very impressive and powerful with 5 tribuaries coming into one, and as we had been warned was not suitable for swimming. However we scrambled over the damn and over the rocks and after Bass and David headed back me and Don continued further with the intention of finding at least one pool of water suitable for swimming or at least quick dip to cool us down! My new flip flops actually grip the rocks which has made it a much easier and enjoyable experience. Heading back, me and Don stopped off for some food as I figured Nate wouldn't fancy eating if he's been sick all day. We had a lovely view again of the Mekong and the sunset on Don Kon. On the way home I had to pump up my tyre twice - typical - but Don was really sweet and swapped bikes with me - what an Irish gent! He's really easy to be with and chat to and he's always laughing which is really nice.

Got back to the hut as the sun was low and red, and Nate was on the balcony - he pretty much had been going back and forth between the bed and the hammock all afternoon. But as I said to him, not a bad place to feel ill, if one has to be ill occassionally!

Nate however declared himself starving and so we went out for some food (I had a banana chocolate pancake yum) and went via the lads place on the way home where I saw Ruddie from our old crowd. They were all on their way out for a 'happy pizza' (magic mushrooms) but as Nate was still unwell we headed back to watch a movie - 'The Dark Knight'. Nate thinks he's the Batman. He's just a big kid really...

Money spent: Breakfast 24,000 bike 8,000 waterfall 9,000 lunch 20,000 dinner nothing brekkie for Nate 10,000, charity donation 50,000 sprite 6,000 water 2000. TOTAL:

Don Det day whatever

Today had another lazy day by the Mekong. Highlights include swimming over to the other island and making a campfire with a random group I met. In lazy places there just aint so much news...

Money spent: Breakfast 15,000, Lunch and 2 mojitos 30,000, Dinner and beer 30,000