On day three we tour by mini van the many wonders of this southern Laos plateau - tea and coffee plantations that produce some of the world's richest brews, ethnic tribes little affected by the outside world, and several stunning waterfalls where we can enjoy refreshing dips.

Night three finds us in Pakse, a southern Laos hub of culture and commerce. Just outside the door of our very comfortable Hotel Pakse we can find lively night markets, handicraft shopping, and a great Buddhist temple beside the Mekong River where monks carry out their sacred and time-honored traditions.

Day four takes us down the Mekong to Champasak and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wat Phu, the most important archeological site in Laos. The ruins of this great Khmer temple not only predate Angkor Wat in Cambodia, they constitute the very origin of Khmer civilization. Starting in the 9th century, this was a Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva. We will have a half day to take in this fascinating historic site with its delicate sandstone carvings and superb museum, time to bicycle through the countryside and villages, and enjoy a hearty lunch beside the Mekong.

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