From mountain camping in Nong Khiaw to tubing the Nam Song River in Vang Vieng, this week was all about muddy hikes, turquoise lagoons, and unforgettable sunsets over rice fields. After two weeks exploring Laos, it’s time to head south to Vientiane and onward to Hanoi, Vietnam.

One last climb up Chiang Mai’s Sticky Waterfalls and a final Muay Thai session set the stage before crossing into Laos. From there, we spent two days drifting down the Mekong on a slow boat — card games, new friends, sunsets, and riverside towns along the way. Luang Prabang greeted us with temples, turquoise waterfalls, and even a bowling alley that doubles as the city’s late-night bar. Next up: heading north to Nong Khiaw for camping and jungle treks.