I was in Vang Vieng, northern Laos, in mid-October. It was here that I went 'tubing', which basically involves floating down a river while sitting in a doughnut-shaped inflatable, and getting off every now and then to visit bars stationed along the route, which also have swings and zipwires where you can jump into the water from anywhere up to 30 metres above the water. Anyhow, because I returned back to town late, I was refused my deposit back for the tube and therefore kept it!

I decided to take this tube, inflated, which is a pain to carry, on local tuk-tuks from town to town, on buses, across borders by road/boat, and on planes, through Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Borneo and finally to London.

For more information, go to http://alkitpatel.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html#6253758697294961453.

If you work for UBS in the UK, they will also match any amount you donate over £10, so please also fill out the form at http://bw.ubs.com/page/0/28/0,1080,5128-235696-1-0,00.shtml.

Thanks very much!

Alkit