So glad that's a real flight for quimbyboy :)

We've booked Residence Phou Vao in LP and I booked our flights today using Bangkok Discovery Pass -- Kathie advice was spot on, I found all my flights online and called them with dates and flight numbers -- so dates will definitely be

BKK to LP Jan 18
LP to SR Jan 22
SR to BKK Jan 26

So quimby -- we'll have to figure out how to meet up when we get closer to Jan.

We'll have BKK time on both ends.

Saw the Anthony Bourdain Laos show last night and cannot wait. This is getting me through all the gloom and financial doom, that's for sure.

The way I see it, I should spend all of my money while I still have some. If it disappears, at least I will know where some of it went.

Apparently, I will never be able to retire.

The trip sounds great. You will love both LP and SR. Very different. Make sure you spend some time just wandering in LP. It's great.

oh yay! no matter what happens with the financial bail out, we'll have this trip to look forward to! also looking forward to meeting you too. you can give us tips on LP and we'll give you tips on SR! ;-) as we get closer let's post again & figure out a meeting spot!

Panda excellent point !! We're going to start an inn some day -- that will be our retirement.

Y'all can come -- we'll need plenty of other crazy Northeasterners who like curling up by the fire with the Balinese puppets throwing shadows on the wall, remembering the good ole days in SE Asia. Then again, maybe we can figure out an inn in SE Asia ?? :)