Vang Vieng

After a few days in Vientiane we headed to Vang Vieng. Laos pretty much only one decently paved road going through the country. This road is from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, the ancient capital. We had wanted to go to Luang Prabang as it is supposed to be amazing, but decided it would be too difficult a trip for Gabe. Even though the road is paved it goes through the mountains and is not a terribly pleasant trip. Gabe is a little to young to really appreciate Luang Prabang anyway. Vang Vieng is about halfway to Luang Prabang and many people break their trip in this little town. Even though we took the aircon bus, the trip was still pretty uncomfortable. I was just getting over food poisoning and the air con wasn't really working on the bus so it was hot and the hills were getting the best of my stomach. We didn't arrive in the best of moods, but a couple of days in the quiet but beautiful town did a lot for our spirits. Vang Vieng is surrounded by Karst mountains and they were just gorgeous. My camera could not do justice to their beauty.

We found a nice guesthouse room for $10 a night (the whole trip was ridiculously cheap). The town was so small that we rented bikes were able to use these to get around during our few days there. Vang Vieng is a big hangout for backpackers on their way to Luang Prabang, so the whole town is full of restaurants where European, Australian & American 20-somethings lie around on makeshift beds and watch American TV sipping fruit shakes and Beer Lao. It was a bit weird to be around that scene and we could tell that a farang family was an unusual sight. Everywhere we went we could hear Lao people saying, "Look at the little white boy." It didn't bother me, but I could tell they thought we didn't understand what they were saying. One time I heard this I repeated in Lao, "Yeah, just look at that little white boy." They just stared at me.



Anway, the backpacker scene aside there is a lot to do in Vang Vieng. Of course, just taking in the scenery was enjoyable enough. While in Vang Vieng we finally learned how to ride a motorbike. There were so few cars that we felt safe riding around as beginners.



Most people spent a lot of time on the river that runs through the town. I really wanted to go tubing, but we weren't sure how safe it would be for Gabe so we chose to go kayaking instead. The river was actually pretty calm, but at the same time swift enough that we didn't have to paddle much. It allowed us to take in the scenes along the river. Lots of backpackers enjoy drinking while tubing. There are little bamboo huts along the river advertising beer for sale. As added inducement many have built jumping platforms from which you can swing down into the river. This was my favorite sign. Not only can you jump for free but you also get a free banana!


Vang Vieng also has lovely caves. We didn't have time to go to the famous elephant caves where the cave formations look like various animals, but we went into this cave with a guide. Gabe didn't much like the dark, but it was interesting and the air was cool.

The restaurants in Vang Vieng are humble but they have a million-dollar view. We ate one night at a restaurant along the river and watched the sun set into the mountains. O for a better camera to capture the beauty. All too soon we had to go back to Vientiane, but we hope to go back again some day. In a few years Gabe will better be able to appreciate Luang Prabang and then maybe we can make the trip south to Vieng Vang again.