Hospitality Thai / Belgian style

Liddy
Leaving Chiang Rai behind, we headed back towards Laos, trying to reconnect with the route that we had been following before our bikes collapsed. 50km of cycling on our trim new machines took us to a place called Pha Mengrai, where we planned to stay the night. As we arrived in town, eyes peeled to try and find a place to stay, a foreigner on a motorbike rode up beside us and asked us if we would like to stay with him. Thus we met Polo and Som and experienced the most remarkable hospitality that we have come across thus far on our trip. Polo is a retired Belgian man who has moved to Pha Mengrai with his Thai wife, Som. They have a beautiful house on the outskirts of town with a 'spare' house in the garden that friends and family stay in. Polo had seen us cycling past and had jumped on his motorbike to intercept us and make sure we were okay. Within half an hour we were sitting on a shaded terrace drinking beer whilst the kids raced around the garden, playing with Polo's grandchildren's toys and having a wonderful time.
We spent the evening there and this morning, rather than setting off at the crack of dawn as planned so as to ensure we got to the border in time, we had a leisurely breakfast, went out for lunch with Polo and his brother (who also lives nearby) and then Polo drove us all the way to the border, nearly 60km away.
I can't imagine being so hospitable in the UK,  but whenever we thanked Polo and Som for their kindness, Polo always said that he was sure our parents would do the same back at home......So Mum / Dad / Elaine, keep your eyes peeled for backpackers passing by who look like they could do with a comfortable bed for the night!
THANK YOU, Polo and Som, the kids miss you!
We are now in Laos and first impressions are very promising but that is for another day.