Day 9 Monday Luang Prabang to Phonsavan

We left early for a long drive, firstly south to Muang Phu Khoun and then east to Phonsavan. It is spectacular, mountainous country with very windy roads and wonderful views. I was not feeling crash hot, so slept a lot of the way. It is mostly Hmong country. They have played a large part in the instability in this area and the road west from Phonsavan has only been considered safe from insurgents in the last few years. We passed many villages with basic houses but many had satellite dishes. Our hotel is perched on a hill behind Phonsavan and is very atmospheric – stone and timber individual huts with fireplaces. It is almost cold – a very pleasant change from over 30C.