Cute Local Girl from the Bolaven Plateau, Laos

Down South in Laos, we based ourselves in a town called Pakse. After surpisingly meeting up with Sarah again, we bargained with a tuk-tuk to take us out for the full day tour around the Bolaven Plateau. This area is reknowned in Laos for it's coffee plantations, introduced by the French -and they were all over. But, as we found out, it also has it's share of beautiful waterfalls.
Tad Fan was stunning, with 2 streams falling 120m inside a circular shaped chasm with steep cliffs. We could only view from above, as it would take more than a day to hike in to the base of the falls from an access point. So we settled for hiking down a small, dusty trail.
Tad Yuang was also picturesque, but this one we were able to get to the base, and swim in the pool. Earl and I swam against the current and managed to plant ourselves under the falls, but it was painful, and we didn't last there too long!!
We visited some local villages too. Of course, when a Western face arrives, the whole village comes to a stand still, and they all come out to stare. There are some fantastic faces, beautiful smiles, and as always, curious kids that love seeing their photo on a digital camera. The first village we visited is known for still having buffalo (water) sacrifices. I guess they have a festival every year and the ritual takes place then!! The second village was strange because the houses all had coffins built and stored underneath - just waiting for the family members to die!!! This village was where we encountered this stunner. Her and a few other kids were running around the town naked, playing. She was so cute that Sarah wanted to put her in her bag and take her home. Did I mention that we love the Laos people?? It's encounters like these that make traveling such a treat! *Stub