Just north of the border between Cambodia an Laos, is an area called Si Phan Don ('four thousand islands'). This area in the very south of Laos is a collection of inhabited and uninhabited small islands in the Mekong. At some places, the river here 14 km wide, and it is a maze of islands, sand plates, rocks, flow accelerations and spectacular water falls. Especially in the rainy season, when the water is high, the area becomes very beautiful. Each of the islands is a small paradise. Sunsets here are awesome.

A visit to the Khon Phapheng waterfalls is surely worth your time. With accelerations and waterfalls over about 13 kilometres, this makes the biggest waterfall of southeast Asia.

This area has a unique flora and fauna. You might even spot the rare and threatened sweetwater dolphin here. The people living on these islands, lead their life in a traditional way, growing rice, vegetables and sugarcane. Also they do some fishing and weaving.

Si Phan Don is very popular with backpackers and other travellers. On several islands there are guesthouses, for example on Don Khong, Don Det and Don Khon. Probably the most popullar activity around here, is just laying in the hammock.

• Kayak Siphandon Travel