We're here in Lao where it's a nice combination of being less touristy and more backpacky. Still, there is a lot of catering to the westerners who make their way here. Our place now, Our Dream Resort and Spa, is fully booked everyday after being open only a few months in a tight market with a lot of competition. Much of that success is likely due to the effusive and effervescent Evelyn, who we met at the airport in Chiang Mai and was greeting and guiding us long before we arrived by private car with the owner. We're now back to having breakfasts prepared for us, served with Lao coffee that would wake up an army of corpses. Here Shirl found a stand-in for Chakra during breakfast while Evelyn talks up a storm of care-takingness with us. (Credit her as well for getting us a duvet, electric tea kettle, fruit basket, teas, and of course the cat.) Click the image to see it larger.

Last night we had the Lao version of fondue, in which we put pieces of fish onto the cooking surface of what looks like a Mexican hat made out of aluminum, while the vegetables cooked in the "brim" in the broth. The food and vegetables are generally still safe here, but we've been warned to enjoy it now because Vietnam is not on par with the belly bug problem.

It's nice to be out and moving again, exploring a new area as we make our way around this country that has only had been isolated relative to the usual tourist trails.