Tubing in Vang Vieang "Wheres Dan"

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We got up late again and agreed to all meet each other at 11:00 at the front off the hotel to tube down the river and by the time all six of us got sorted we were in a tuk tuk getting dropped off at the river. We left Dave and Nick behind because they were so sick from drinking all day and night they just couldn’t function. Jacinta, Arthur and I decided to walk up 500m to get a better tubing experience before hitting the first bar. Our goal was to have one drink at the bar and then tube down the rest of the river. We meet up at the first bar and all sat down feeling tired and lazy, it took awhile to work up the courage to have a beer and we all settled in slowly. Andria and Louise ended up getting a job at the bar which included all drinks and food. They ended quieting after one day just because they never actually did any work and got bored. After awhile we all had a beer in our hand and started to enjoy the atmosphere. Fabien, Arthur and I all decided to tackle the big swing and with one complementary Lao whisky at the entrance to every bar it gave us the courage to climb up the rickety old timber ladder and platform. It almost reminded me of something Wyle-EE-Coyote would build to get to the roadrunner. There were bits and pieces tacked on everywhere and it was almost as scary to climb up as to jump off. I was first and with one big breath I leaped off and gained enormous speed until finally letting go around 10 meters in the air. I came down feet first and hit the water with a thud. It was so much fun that we all decided to go again and let go at the highest point of the swing. We climbed up again with massive smiles on our faces and showing no concern for the dodgy ladder and platform. With one giant swing I let go at the highest part of the swing and as I looked down it felt like I was five stories high. I came crashing down from around 13m high feet first and I was glad I was wearing sandals. With spirits high we had another drink and really started to party. We decided to go one all the swings, flying foxes and jumping platforms. We came up with new ways to jump off and land in the water. We were really getting quiet pissed and things just got crazier and wilder. Everyone partied hard and was having a great time. We were ready to move on and with one last jump off a smaller swing I decided to do a back flip which went horribly wrong and and landed square on my back. I hit the water that hard that took it took my breath away and even though I was quiet pissed I felt an enormous stinging pain right across my back. It took ten minutes of deep breathing to control the pain and once through the barrier it was time to party again. We returned our tubes before the 6:00 dead line and agreed to catch up the Aussie bar for diner. Jacinta and I were stuffed from partying the last couple of days and would decide to call it a night after dinner. When we all caught up for dinner we exchanged stories and when someone shouted us a drink it only took a few words of encouragement to go to the Q-bar night club to party on. Jacinta just went along with it and before long she was on the dance floor with all of us.

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