Pakse

After a stint in the garden with monks we had to catch the night bus (dirty word) to Pakse. We were picked up and taken to the bus station in a jumbo.(something that resembles a pick up truck with hard benches running down the tray and a roof) We boarded a bid double Decker bus that looked like a disco and was covered with Barbie spray painted parifinalia on the outside. Scary, really scary. This was the VIP bus and it is far more comfortable and faster than a local bus. We had the seats as you come up the stairs from the loo. Something which later we decided was a negative rather than a positive. We were given a feed of inedible rice and fatty chicken, a cold face washer to freshen up and a hand full of lollies for dessert. All was going well until the TV came on with some poor B grade Laos movie. The stench from the loo, crossed with the Apple fresh deodoriser, rose upward and in to our nasal cavities. It was putrid. Some kid with a bladder the size of a pea kept coming past whacking Kirk every time. The air con was so cold condensation was dripping on to us and I had icicles growing off my nose(that was the only thing protruding from under my blanket). The last straw for me was when some ignoramus went to the bathroom at some godly early hour and on his way back up the stairs turned on our over head light. Kirk and I were staring blindly like kangaroos in the headlight of a truck. My response was "What the F**k!" and quickly shot my hand out of the warm comfort of my blanket to find the switch for the light. The dark couldn't come quick enough!
Why Oh why!! 12 hours on a bus, in an unnatural position is something I keep subjecting myself to? Why?
Kirk and I both were cranky and over tired. We decided to try get a few hours of shut eye in, once we booked into our guest house, before we decided on a plan of action in the south. Sleep didn't really help and we were a both a bit ratty for the rest of the day.
Plan of action: Get a body soothing massage for all those bus kinks and then relax by the river with a cocktail or two.
First part of our plan was quickly put in to action and we found a place that looked good for a massage. Showered and stripped own to our undies and a robe we were ready to be relaxed and pampered. MMmmmm. Well I had a guy who had hands of Steele and used them to pulverize my poor body. He Rubbed me and needed my like a bit of bread dough and I was in more agony than enjoyment. Bliss was closer to death at this point. I know that we don't speak the same language but me gripping the side of the bed in a tense ball of muscles should have alerted to something. Kirk pretty much had a female version of Mr. Hands of steel and we both felt worse for wear after our massage.
Second part of our plan consisted of us searching for a LP recommended restaurant by the river that was in fact, closed. Or probably never actually existed considering the accurancy of the Lonely planet so far!
We opted for an early Curry dinner and a shared bottle of beer before I promptly feel asleep at 6:30 pm.