Winter [Wrap-Up] Holiday

Today is the last travel post, featuring fun facts and favorites.

My favorite photo of the trip:  The Luang Prabang night market at dusk

First, my one-word impression of each location visited:

• Yangshuo, China:  Misty
• Dali, China:  Sunny
• Lijiang, China:  Cool+Touristy
• Tiger Leaping Gorge, China:  Awesome
• Phuket, Thailand:  Beachy
• Koh Phi Phi, Thailand:  Paradise+Touristy
• Chiang Mai, Thailand:  Conference
• Luang Prabang, Laos:  Thought-provoking
• Pakse, Laos:  DailyLife
• Tour in southern Laos:  Waterfally
• Vientiane, Laos:  Delicious
• Beijing, China:  AlmostHome

Overnight in the Bangkok airport

Here are a few fun facts:

Cheapest hostel:  Tie between two $1.25 nights sharing beds in basic Lao guesthouses
Most expensive lodging:  Basic Thai guesthouse with monkeys on roof in Koh Phi Phi (about $20/night)
Travel methods: flights (7), inter-city bus (6), overnight train (2), taxi, van, tuk tuk, motorbike, bicycle, ferry, and boat
Favorite locations:  Tiger Leaping Gorge and Laos
Best food:  Thailand
Best weather: Not China

Want to be a millionaire?  Come to Laos and get 8000 kip for every one of your dollars.

Me on an elephant

The water really is that blue and clear in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

Lao waterfall

Laos as seen from our tiny Lao Airlines plane

A new kind of tuk-tuk for me, attached to the side of a motorbike in Laos

Sunrise at the Wat Phou ruins in Laos.  We were the only ones there.

Sunset near Koh Phi, Phi, Thailand

That's all!  Classes start in three days -- time to hit the lesson-planning.