Hope you're all well in cool blighty, land of warm beer... Mid-day bike riding is so hot here, have taken to napping on the road-side when find some shade... fave re-hydration technique, licking ice lollies on whilst cycling

Stopped 2 days in Kemmerat, stayed with family, have a bamboo hut on the banks of the Mekong river, watching the river life, had lunch with relatives, punching the air with delight as i consumed each chilli, and the bamboo soup was very tasty, much better than it sounds.

This is a quieter, more rural are of Thailand, farming etc... No tourists here, which is fine, because that makes me more special... at one water stop was told i was handsome by a shy giggling lady and all her friends. Made my day, ego back up in the clouds....

Picked up by 2 women the other rest day, gave me a life to the night market - kept stopping to take pictures of shop fronts and their phone numbers... though i was with the Thai secret police, turned out they were business savy sign writers scouting for business... enjoyed hot spicy dinner as usual. Lots of friendly people and activity at the road side as i cycle along. Every time pass a school all the kids shout out 'falang' (European)

Ok, have just had breakfast, late start today, a short 50km to Buri Ram, then may head south to find a beach or turn left into Cambodia.

Thinking of you (as i lick my ice lolly)

Thai/Lao Border Towards Cambodia

Am riding push bike south down the Thai/Lao border towards Cambodia, along the banks of the Mekong. Today is a rest-day in Mukdahan, the hotel is very upmarket with swimming pool, last chance to enjoy luxury for a while.

Great to be out of BKK to roam the country side. All the locals are so welcoming and helpful, don't feel alone, and all the beautiful women... Its always a running joke, about getting together, etc... I seem to be attracting the puppy dogs though, in all the drinkstops/cafes, always cute fluffy bundle licking my ankles, biting my shoes, just as the noodle soup arrives. Maybe it's the sun-tan lotion, or the foreign European taste.

Enjoy the independence, figuring it out for myself, and making it from one place to the next. Have to be on the ball, and the feeling of "making it" is rewarding. Was a bit concerned when pedal fell off, but simple fix alas. Sat in a rice paddy fixing a puncture, what better place can there be. Directions, no problem, look at watch and sun, trusty compass, bla bla bla.

Yesterday, was very hot, was up early, but got chatting with owner of guest-house who's a keen biker, so he joined me for the first 10k out of town, where i planned to have breakfast. And he paid!!! which is almost un-heard of, since us 'farangs' are regarded as the ones with spend. Goes to show how friendly some people can be.

Very tired after yesterday, as got dehydrated + dusty too. Chucked a weeks worth of smelly laundry into the bath tub and jumped in, carefully performing the rinse cycle with my feet. The complimentary bath foam seemed to worked its wonders, so 2 birds with 1 stone. It was great to relax there, consuming the contents of the mini-bar. How to abuse a hotel room, drying all the laundry in the room too,... he he he. All clean now... Aching bones, bliss to have a decent facilities ; sometimes its just a cold water tap hanging out of the wall.

Can be tricky finding the hotel at the end of a long slog on the bike. People seem willing to guide me - usually, i ask a moped with at least 2 women on board, and get guided in, giggles and all ...