Change of Plans :)

Good Morning All,

Well what an eventful few days we have had. After our interesting border crossing (which took about 5hrs), We finally made it into Laos pirched on the back of a Ute from Thai Customs (Thank goodness they felt like helping us out). Arriving in Thakhek was surreal, the last time we stayed here was almost 5 years ago and we remember this town being very quiet with very little to do. As it happens at the moment the Lao Traditional Long Boat village races are happening all across Laos so Thakhek was full of life! Markets, Rock Concerts, wow what an experience! Certainly not the Thakhek we remember.

In the morning we headed north on Route 13 towards the turn off for Route 8 and the Sainamhai resort. Whilst the weather has been threatening to rain on us for a few days, we have been so lucky to avoid getting drenched so far! After a brief stop at the intersection for a recharging Chicken Noodle Soup, we were off on the 40km ride down Route 8 into Na Hin. Such a beautiful ride up to and into the Limestone Mountain ranges of Khammoune Province.

We made good time and arrived as planned at the Sainamhai resort (Heaven on Earth) where we were warmly greeted by Uncle Vongsamay and Auntie Thippaphone :) So good to see them again and instantly felt right at home!. Here is where the plans change :)

We had originally planned to stay 4nights at the Sainamhai Resort before heading to Vientiane to see cousin Angela (Vongsamay's oldest Daughter) who with her husband Bou, was expected to give birth to her first baby girl, when we arrived at Sainamhai we realised Angela had given birth to a  beautiful baby girl at 11am (About 3hrs prior). Mr and Mrs Malibayphit had waited at the resort just to welcome us as they had not seen us for so many years. (The resort is closed at the moment with the baby expeci ted).  They informed us that the baby had been born and they were going to go to Vientiane for a few days to be with Angela, Bou and their first grandchild. We were blown away they waitied for us, and quite overwhelmed with emotion. After bidding them a safe journey we sat down and relaxed at a resort we had all to ourselves.

Whilst sitting we pondered the coming days plans and quickly decided to head for Vientiane early to see Angela, the baby and family and spend some time with them in the capital. Vongsamay had planned to return after a few days to be with us at the resort, but now they will stay with Angela until after the weekend. Such a beatiful and amazing family! So blessed! We retired shortly after an amazing dinner cooked by Nana (Vongsamay's youngest daughter who they had arranged to look after us at the resort).

Vongsamay has arranged for us this morning to visit the Ban Oh School nearby where we held our last Book Party and to see the new Water Well that was built at the school after we last left. Im writing this just before we head to the school to visit them for a short while before we head back to Sainamhai to load up and ride to Vientiane.

Apologies there have been no more videos as yet and not many photos on the blog but the plan was to update the next posts and vlogs at the Sainamhai. This will now be when we arrive in Vientiane. Sooo many photos and cool videos to share in the next update, i wish i could just beam it all online without all the editing, such an amazing experience and can't wait to share with you all.

Thanks for staying tuned and the next posts in the coming days will have lots of amazing pics as well as our many exciting moments captured enroute. So much to share but will try to condense into a small package of awesomeness for you to enjoy.

Time for breakfast at the Sainamhai prepared by wonderful Nana. Stay tuned for the next posts which will be a super huge posts with tonnes of pics and videos and shenanigans for you to enjoy.