This was a fabulous trip, really good value for money with lots of variety in terms of transportation and sights.  Our guide Wit was a gem, he made the trip so special and the local guides were also excellent. The trip down the Mekong was like going back in time, all rustic villages and water buffalo by the shore.   In Vientiane, you must go to the Buddha Park if you get a chance, we thought it was magical.  None of our group fancied it so we got a tuk tuk and sampled Laos country roads, potholes and all! And we had the park virtually to ourselves for an hour, before a coachload of Laotian schoolgirls arrived, squealing at the sight of tourists! Cambodia was another wonderful country, so moving to hear the guide at the Killing Fields speak about his missing father.  There was ample opportunity to have free time on the tour. The Koh Samet extension was unabashed luxury, not sure if that is normal knowing what we do about Explore accommodation (!) but it was most welcome at the end because it gave us a few days to absorb the experience. (BMK - 6th March 2011)