Day out on bikes

We made our way to Vang Vieng on the 17th. After finding a room we walked around getting to know the town and had dinner on a bamboo hut with no walls nor chairs but an amazing view of the river and mountains.
Today Linda and I hired mountain bikes and were ken to explore a few caves. The first cave we set out to explore was Poukam Cave which is 6km from town. We cycled for some time, through the jungle, over dried up river beds, rocks and so on. We finally get to a 3 way crossing and were not sure which way to go, so we went straight. Some time later, we arrive at a river bed with a broken bridge. We had gone the wrong way, so hot and tires, we head for the other caves. Next was Nam Muang Caves. We found this place easily enough. We parked our bike at the entrance to the path that leads to the cave. You pay to see the caves and the guy watches your bike. Now the path to the cave is through some farm land, over a few rivers and bush. The bridges that you use to cross the river are pretty dodgy, old bamboo sticks laid out across a very shaky structure also, there are millions of red ants on the first bridge, so when you cross, you have to hold onto a bamboo pole for support at the same time these little buggers walk on you and start to eat you bit by bit! After a few minutes, you arrive at the cave. There is a small pond of sorts that you can swim in. The water is crystal clear and had fish. The pond is fed by a spring within the cave so there is constant fresh water coming out. Just perfect to cool off in after a cycle and walk in the heat!
On the way back to the bikes, on the first bridge, my leg fell through the one rotten bamboo. Lucky for me it was close to the river bank. Linda had a good laugh and I was a bit shaken!
Next cave was Grolte Chang Cave. This cave is the closest to town and has a spring in the cave to swim when it is the rainy season. By now, Linda and I are tired and hot so all to happy to get there and relax in the spring. Again you walk amongst the farm lands and make your way to the cave. Hey presto, no water! A steep climb up the mountain and you get to the cave. We went in but not to far as the light we had was not strong enough to light the whole cave and tunnel up. The view of town is pretty impressive from the entrance to the cave. So back down it was back to the bikes. Now, while climbing down, only Linda and I, Linda hears a noise in the bush and starts to panic, maybe a rat, maybe a lizard, probably a snake. So the whole way back to the bikes, any noise in the jungle and Linda is panicking.
For late lunch, we went to a restaurant where you lie back and face a TV and they show the series Friends 24/7. We bumped into Matt, from Hoi Ann and decided to meet up for drinks.
That evening we also bumped into Chris and Laura who joined us. Things went horribly wrong from there on. The main reason being, every time I went to get beers, ask for the toilet, ask the time, etc. The barman gives you a shot of Loa Whisky, which is pretty strong. Linda was not feeling to well and went to bed so I carried on, until late!

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