Just a 3 hour ride from Pakse is the opening to the 4 Thousand islands. It is where the Mekong spreads out creating thousands of little islands - islands meaning even just a chunk of grass sticking out of the river. There are about 3 islands where you can stay but we chose Don Det which is a bit smaller but had more of a backpacker scene. You can stay in a bungalow for less than 3 bucks (we chose one that was more like 5 because it actually had a bathroom attached and 2 hammocks in front). Everything runs off generators and is fairly basic; no bank or post office, just guesthouses with attached restaurants and the occasional "store"/hut 
that sells chips or cookies and drinks. It is probably one of the most relaxing places we have been. We did nothing but read in our hammocks the first day and eat & drink. Then we decided to rent bikes for the day and take a tour of the island. After riding for about an hour and a half we made a complete circle so decided to do it again and find a place where we could do a little fishing - we never caught anything. They have tubes for rent here too which is a little scary to think of how quickly this little island may turn into Vang Vieng. All the bungalows are right on the river but right now it is just relaxing with nothing but hammocks - no rope swings, etc. But it is probably just a matter of time before they start going up. We tubed to a small island to fish a little that has a great big tree on it, then floated down the river. The current is not fast at all so we really just floated off the island shore for a few hours. There is a waterfall, Li Phi, on another island to the south of Don Det - on Don Khone - so we rented bikes again to check it out. They said you can not go swimming and the locals never do because they believe it captures dead spirits. You can see why there is no swimming; you would be sucked under pretty quick by the current. Since Don Det has no bank or ATM's when you run out of money the nearest town to get more is Pakse. We were sad to run out of money and leave - could have stayed for a few 
more days easily!
that sells chips or cookies and drinks. It is probably one of the most relaxing places we have been. We did nothing but read in our hammocks the first day and eat & drink. Then we decided to rent bikes for the day and take a tour of the island. After riding for about an hour and a half we made a complete circle so decided to do it again and find a place where we could do a little fishing - we never caught anything. They have tubes for rent here too which is a little scary to think of how quickly this little island may turn into Vang Vieng. All the bungalows are right on the river but right now it is just relaxing with nothing but hammocks - no rope swings, etc. But it is probably just a matter of time before they start going up. We tubed to a small island to fish a little that has a great big tree on it, then floated down the river. The current is not fast at all so we really just floated off the island shore for a few hours. There is a waterfall, Li Phi, on another island to the south of Don Det - on Don Khone - so we rented bikes again to check it out. They said you can not go swimming and the locals never do because they believe it captures dead spirits. You can see why there is no swimming; you would be sucked under pretty quick by the current. Since Don Det has no bank or ATM's when you run out of money the nearest town to get more is Pakse. We were sad to run out of money and leave - could have stayed for a few 
more days easily!Overall, we loved Laos. It gives "laid back" a whole new meaning; the scenery is unreal; and the people are always friendly and smiling.
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