We  only intended to stay overnight to break the bus journey to Luang Prabang but  changed our minds when we discovered the bridge to the island bars and the peaceful areas around the edge of town.

Children looking for  someone too tired or incapacitated to walk down to the river.

Smile Bar.  

Our favourite spot along the river.  We could have a few drinks then lunch and sit here all day, reading, watching the locals catch fish or the tubers come down the river.  At the end of the day the children brought the elephants down to cool off then took them home across the river for the night.