Did someone say "coup"?

"Lao", pronounced with an increasing intonation, means the small Southeast Asian nation of four million people; "lao" pronounced with a decreasing intonation means "whiskey". If you are ever lucky enough to visit the Sae Waterfall 20km east of Luang Prabang, you can try lao lao which is a primative Lao whiskey made from rice. I spent the last 48 hours trekking on foot through the mountains of Northern Laos amid jungles and rice fields. There are no massive temples or bustling cities but there is something to be said about the serenity and "nothingness" of the Lao countryside. I was able to visit many ethnic villages, including the Hmong and Kamu tribes, and it was with the latter that I spent yesterday evening in bungalow free of any modern amenities. One of the many highlights included sharing lunch with a one-eyed, 80-year old rice farmer in a hut on his rice paddy. The journey was over 20 miles and included a motor boat and an old Land Rover but most of the trekking was done on foot. Tomorrow we set off on a 2-day cruise to the Thai border from where we will make our way to Bangkok. I am sure you all assumed it was me in the tank when you heard of a military invasion on Bangkok but I was in the mountains planning the insurgency (Ho Chi Minh style). I am obviously kidding. Although I am taking this very casually, I am certain that the "situation" will be resolved and I will in no way be endangered.