The Lonely Planet cannot be more wrong about Laos. While they gave
Luang Prabang high praises, they mentioned almost nothing on Vang Vieng.
If the other Americans didn't tell me about it, I probably would have chose
to by-pass the city completely and missed a great deal of fun.
To begin with, Vang Vieng offers some of the best limestone formations in
the region. On top of that, the rivers nearby have created hundreds of
underground caves that are simply out of this world. So, aside caving,
you can also do kayaking, rock climbing, trekking and tubing (rent an inner
tube and float down the river. Fun but sooooooooo slow).
Tubing seems to be the most popular but it is far from being the most
fun. I personally prefer trekking, caving, and rock climbing there.
If you are the adventurous type, this is one place you definitely shouldn't
miss and, if you do take my advice and go there, sign up your tours with
Wildside, the manager, Lee, is really cool and, more importantly, they run
awesome tours! Yes, they do provide the Whiskey on your trekking tour.
( :
|
|
|
|
Bus to Vang Vieng
Traveling in Laos isn't the easiest thing as the transports available are old, uncomfortable, and extremely slow. |
|
|
|
Travel to Vang Vieng
And did I mention no rest stops and breakdowns? |
|
|
|
Burned for Farmering
Through out the 7 hour bus trip to Vang Vieng, this is what we see, mountains that are burned or burning. |
|
|
|
Typical Small Villages in Laos
This type of construction is typical through out the country |
|
|
|
Cute Lao Kids
When we finally made to a rest stop, I was greeted by two very cheerful locals. |
|
|
|
|
|
Lao Country Side
Is a place of beauty, if only I could look it without smoke blurring the view |
|
|
|
Kids of Vang Vieng
Unlike people up north, the locals here aren't afraid of taking pictures. In fact, the kids loved it and had a great time taking pictures using my camera. |
|
|
|
A View of Vang Vieng
|
|
|
|
Limestone Caves
These caves definitely are cool. Just look at these! |
|
|
|
Limestone Caves
|
|
|
|
|
|
Limestone Caves
|
|
|
|
Limestone Caves and Me!
|
|
|
|
Limestone Caves
|
|
|
|
Beautiful Butterflies
Can you see them? |
|
|
|
Place for Lunch
During our first day of trekking, we stopped at the entrance of a underground river for lunch. |
|
|
|
|
|
More Butterflies
Butterflies and other inspects were attracted to us by the sweats |
|
|
|
Part of Our Trekking Group
During one of the breaks, some of us posed for pictures. As you can see, we were all a little tired. |
|
|
|
Here Comes the A-Team
Don't we look like some superheros who have just appeared to save the day? |
|
|
|
Juss Me!
|
|
|
|
One of the Daily Routines for the Locals
Is to have a great time at the river! |
|
|
|
|
|
Some Monkey Business
Isn't he soooo cute? |
|
|
|
Coke Appeal
Even our new friend likes coke! I think he should be CocaCola's solution to Pepsi's Britney Spear campaign |
|
|
|
More Monkey Business
Though he looks small, he is actually grown |
|
|
|
Poor Megumi-Chan
After trying so hard to get the monkey to let her hug him, all poor Megumi got was some hissing and acts of protests. Maybe the monkey is a "she"? |
|
|
|
OH NO! AM I DRUNK?
After taking a bath in the river, we started working on the two bottles of Lao Whisky that Lee had brought for us. Some of us were affected more than others... |
|
|
|
|
|
Okay, So We Were Drunk...
I wish I had taken more pictures of our bonefire party but drinking and puking never makes good pictures... The important thing is that we had TONZ of fun! |
|
|
|
The Morning After...
our drinking party, some of us still managed to pose a great pose for the camera. |
|
|
|
Others...
however, aren't so lucky. |
|
|
|
Caving
Some of the underground caves we explored had underground river running through them and they are the coolest thing |
|
|
|
So My Pose is a Little Cheezy...
but I am still cool! |
|
|
|
|
|
Caving
|
|
|
|
Caving
|
|
|
|
Caving
|
|
|
|
Caving
|
|
|
|
Lao Whiskey
Want something that is "Smooth and Mellon"? |
|
|
|
|
|
Part After the Trek
After the trek, we all hanged out at the bar and had a great time |
|
|
|
Part After the Trek
|
|
|
|
Part After the Trek
|
|
|
|
Part After the Trek
|
|
|
|
Part After the Trek
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local Market
There is a small market in Vang Vieng and it offered a good way to see the life of an average Lao |
|
|
|
Rock Climbing
The limestone mountains surrounding Vang Vieng offers great rock climbing opportunities |
|
|
|
Stuwart and I
Stuwar is a really cool instructor! |
|
|
|
Here I Go!
|
|
|
|
Finally to the Top
After numerous attempts, I finally made it to the top and what an awesome feeling that was! |
|
|
|
|
|
Rock Climbing
|
|
|
|
What Vang Vieng Offers
are cliffs like these that awaits capable rock climbers |
|
|
|
Stuwart Attempting One of the Harder Routes
|
|
|
|
Superhuman Strength
What rock climbers can do are amazing |
|
|
|
More Rock Climbing
|
|
|
