4,000 Islands, LAOS

The next part of our trip involved taking an 11 seater bus (with up to 26 people on/in it) to a roadside stop where we transferred to a bus that would take us across the border into Laos!  We then got massively conned by a guy who said he was in charge of taking our passports to get them stamped (he probably made over $100 off our group alone- all in a good hour of corrupt work!) but actually wasn't....ahhh the experience of being conned in Cambodia, nothing like it.  But we did eventually make it to the other side where we then took a bus and a boat out through the Mekong River to Don Kohne Island!

Boat tour through the Mekong

    We then spent two very lovely days hanging out on the island.  We got mountain bikes and trekked through the mud to do some exploring.  All around the island there were nice beaches, gorgeous and expansive waterfalls, and wats to explore!  

Boat to Dophin- my favorite option

Some of the local houses and fields

The town wat 

My tiny little mountain bike (clearly meant for small children but I made it work!)

     The weather was gorgeous, cooler than Cambodia and sunny, the entire time we were there.  We relaxed and biked around and made some friends with our fellow travelers.  It was a beautiful rural community mixed with a touristy main street.  There were rice fields with water buffalo right down the road from hotels and guest houses.  And of course, beautiful views across the Mekong River!

Sunset from our restaurant on Don Khone