Day 138. Luang Prabang, Laos. Vive la France.

Of all the towns we've visited in Southeast Asia Luang Prabang is by some distance the prettiest. Sitting on a peninsula bounded by the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, the place oozes class and character, comfortably justifying its listing as a world heritage site.

Stroll through the old quarter and the French colonial architecture, smart street cafes and cool wine bars could dupe you into thinking you've landed in some gorgeous idyll on the cote d'azur. Turn into the next street though, and a gaggle of monks climbing the steps to an intricately decorated temple lets you know you're right here in the heart of Laos' ancient capital.

It's great. And we hired bikes today to see as much of the town as possible in the short time we have available. Yellow with black trim for me, powder pink for Wend (a paint job she's so taken with, she wants it replicated on her bike back in London).

Of course, if there's one thing the French know a thing or two about - other than testing nuclear bombs on remote South Pacific islands - it's food. And luckily, their influence has crept into much of Luang Prabang's cuisine, resulting in several top notch restaurants.

It seemed churlish not to try one for size. So after meeting up with our friends from Vang Vieng, Dennis and Pru, we gorged ourselves on the finest tucker we've come across since leaving New Zealand.

Gordon Ramsey quality it was, at Green Lanes kebab shop prices.