Chilling in Luang Prabang

Oh what a beautiful place to chill in.

Frans is still on a bus on a winding road somewhere and I am in one of the most laid back places ever enjoying chatting with fellow travellers and having no itinerary whatsoever.

It never ceases to amaze me how most of the people I talk to are doing months and years of travelling.
Today for example I chatted to 2 British girls who are away for  20 months to include working in Oz, I also chatted with a girl from UK who is away for a year and doing the whole of SE Asia, Indonesia, and India, she wants to get her TEFL in Vietnam and teach English in China.

I also ran into and had breakfast on the river front with a couple that Frans and I met in Hanoi.
They have been away for 8 months and plan to go to Africa after this to work on a project.
There are so many couples travelling, all of which have given up their jobs or been given up to a year off. Almost all of them have no mortgage so no ties.
It really does make my trip quite small and limited compared to some of their stories.
A 22 year old girl I met coming over to Laos had been working in a children's home in Vietnam for 4 months, and after going to Cambodia was going to meet up in New Zealand with some one she met a month ago.
It's so inspirational to meet and speak with so many people exploring the world and great to hear their stories, any one who knows me will know that I ask loads of questions as I am so interested, and no one minds talking about themselves.
Not sure if Frans will arrive tonight or tomorrow.
I have plans to meet up with several people tonight so all good. Last night I was at the market having my eat as much as you can fit on your plate buffet and 6 guys and girls from all over sat on same table.
They had all met randomly and we were all chatting away, they invited me to go for drinks with them and we went  to a fab place on the river with cushions and chill beds on the floor with low tables.
We had to leave our flip flps by the door.
It was so serene and relaxing and the sounds of the crickets (I think that's what they were) and the gin and tonics added to the atmosphere.
Today I gave into temptation and did some shopping, I managed to haggle my way to half the prices asked.
Hurray for Laos!