Housekeeping...

For those of you who are coming into Laos for visits...

Reminders:

If you are getting visas on arrival at the airport OR the bridge, you need to have 2 passport photos with you. Don't forget or it's a hassle.

Laos has NO ATMs. We can write checks at the embassy to get cash, then shell that cash out to you at usurious rates, but you should bring a decent amount of cash. $ or Thai Baht work fine, so if you are coming in from Thailand you can load up at an ATM there.

Most places (including hotels we will stay at when traveling, most likely) do not take credit cards...please see above reminder about cash, checks at the embassy, and usurious interest rates.

Supposedly in November and especially December and maybe January, nights can get rather chilly, especially up north in the mountains, or in Luang Prabang. I have no independent verification of this bone-chilling weather, but I have it on good word that sometimes a fleece has come in handy in the evenings. I'll believe it when I see it.

I think that's about all I remember at this point. The sun really took it out of me today. That, and the air hockey.