Well this is nice. This town is so calm and peaceful its not true. It is a UNESCO heritage site and has 33 Buddhist monasteries – that might have something to do with it. I also understand that the suburbs are noisier. There are quite a lot of tourists but generally well behaved.

Yesterday after arriving and having a nap, I went for a bit of a wander. The town (which was the seat of the kings of Laos until 1975) is built on a sort of a promontory between the Mekong and another river. Lots of restaurants with terraces overlooking water.

Today I was woken up at 4am by the monastery drums. There were then two gentlemen having a nice chat outside my room from 5.30 to 6.00 ish. Sleep appears optional. Breakfast on the hotel’s terrace was lovely. Several staff with trolleys – ‘Bread Madame?’ ‘Fruit? Which ones would you like us to cut up?’ And then, just as I’d finished, ‘Cake Madame?’ At least their status as an ex French colony means the coffee is decent.

After all that I walked down the Main Street to the ex royal palace, now a museum, and several temples.

Also went to the market.

Whilst in a shop looking at antique textiles, my knee gave way. The (tiny) nice lady insisted on helping me out. Was worried that if I fell I would squash her rather than her being able to hold me up. Am now full of painkillers and moving slowly.

The nice hotel gives us a free outing every day. This evening I went on the river to watch the sunset. Chatting to a lovely young man from Atlanta who is staying here.