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Published: November 2nd 2008
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The bus journey from Vientiane to Vang Vieng was going to be a spectacular ride thorugh the Laos countryside with fantastic views of mountains and valleys. In addition it turned out to be interesting on the basis that as it was a public bus and we were mixing with "outsiders" not from our group. This has been fine in the past and pretty enjoyable, but this time there was the one arse!! He arrived late(ish) and then proceded to get quite upset that he could not get a window seat on the right side of the bus (We of course had the ideal seats). He then stated that "this was going to be only time in his life that he would be able to do this journey and he thought some one should give up their window seat for him". The fact that all the other passengers were westerners made it highly likely that this was to be their only time as well. Even a direct question to Mascha to move was given the NO answer. His next tact was to try the old " Most people just sleep even when they sit near the window. I will be looking out
at all times".
See we told you he was an arse !!!
The guy was looking more and more distressed, and at this point, Michael, suggested that Alexis (another group member) should sit next to him freeing up a prime spot on the right side. He did not even say thank you, until prompted by a very sarcastic Michael. Gary was really pleased as the arse was now sitting directly in front of him and was only too pleased to make sure his seat got a good knock if he started to drift off to sleep.
As it happens you had just a good a view on the left side of the bus!!
Vang Vieng is famous for the Limestone hills around the area, the Nam Song river for tubing and being one of the most chilled places in Laos. We were to have three nights here so plenty of time to do things.
We found a really good Indian restaurant that served so much veggie food it was difficult for Carolyn to choose. In addition Carolyn found 2 Friends bars that just played episodes constantly so when Gary decided to have a little nap one afternoon she could go
and watch episode after episode whilst lounging with a Pina Colada. We also found "The Bucket Bar" which strangely enough sold cocktails in a bucket. It was hardly promoting responsible drinking but then when everything shuts at midnight it has the desired effect.
The highlight of the Vang Vieng excursion was undoubtedly the tubing - The concept is simple, you are taken upstream of Vang Vieng, given a truck inner tube and then you float down the Nam Song river to Vang Vieng at gentle pace, taking in the local scenary, whilst being cooled by the water.
There is an opportunity to stop at a number of riverside cafes to have the occasional coffee or soft drink, and sit and relax. Unsurprisingly none of our group took this sedate option. They took the stop at the riverside cafes to mean drink Beer Lao instead and then proceed to throw themselves off the various slides, rope swings and zip lines into the river. The whole group had at least one go of splashing into the river from a good height. Carolyn turned out to be a catalyst for other younger members who said, "well if she (the old bird) can do
Carolyn posing with head torch
The head torch was a leaving present from her last school - Go Cantell! it then so can we".
The post tubing drinking was pretty subdued for us two as we were absolutely knackered, but at least it left us fresh for the next day where we hired bikes (girly ones with baskets on the front) and cycled in 33 degree heat to a number of caves, hills and villages. We had a great time up until a couple of the local thugs demanded some cash for "watching" our bikes, when we went to a cave. The fact they were not there when we left them did not seem to matter. It was a tricky situation that could have easily got out of hand and turn nasty, but fortunately Gary felt brave and did not crumble to the 8 year olds demands. We just got back on to our pink bikes and rode off into the distance at high speed. The Bucket Bar came back into play for the last night which was always going to make the 7 hour mountainous journey to Luang Prabang interesting.
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