Very good post. A nice dose of self-deprecating humor, with a healthy bit of irascibility on the side.
I would've liked to read about your trip down the Mekong, as well as a little about Luang Prabang, but I'll just be satisfied with the above, for now.
Stay true to your backpacker code, even if nobody else does, and even if nobody else has any idea of what it is. :-)
Thanks! There's so much more to talk about, this was just the opening act to a grand adventure. It's been the best time of my trip, too much for one post.