We are camping out at the Villa Manoly, a lovely old mansion. Not quite the french colonial era type, more like a 1970's tropical dacha built for Soviet embassadors and "advisers". The whole place has that bygone era feel. The rooms are decorated with what can only be described as salvaged furnishings. The light fixtures are bare bones and the electrical outlets seem to be left deliberately "raw" so as to enable each renter the possibility of creating their own connections or adding new fixtures. After the initial shock I am glad to say the kids are starting to enjoy the benefits of living at the Manoly. And benefits there are plenty; for one, it has volumes of charm. It has one of the most beautiful, and large, garden of any other guesthouse in the city. And it has a pool, a true rarity in Vientiane. The staff is not only extremely friendly and flexible but is also trustworthy. In the evenings they pull out the ping pong table and the kids and tuk tuk drivers from the street in front all congregate and play.