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Published: April 18th 2009
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We set off for Vang Vieng on the 27th for a couple days. We had an amazing time tubing, swinging, sliding, and drinking (definitely not a good combination). We are happy to say we made it out with just a little scratch on my nose and a bruise on Trevor's leg. It was absolutely awesome! Although it such a touristy area, it was so much fun and something we would never have back in Canada. We literally got on our tube and floated for 2 minutes before being pulled into the first bar by a bamboo stick.
There was a stretch of bars within such a short distance and we wanted to go to each of them but you end up spending an hour or two at each and by the time 4:30 hits, you have to get back on the tube and float for another 1 1/2 into town. The swings were awesome, you had to climb up a tree, 20 - 40 ft in the air and hang onto a trapeze bar swinging over the water until you were ready to jump. Not to rub it in or anything, but Trevor didn't do it...and YES, I did!!! (Please
rub it in) It was pretty scary, but it was so much fun (we will have to share the videos when we get back). After meeting a bunch of people, we all continued to the next bar where there was a zip line. It was a piece of cake...unless you waited until the very end where the spring would whip you around and flip you in the water. It was really funny to watch, but Trevor and I both just let go before the end. It really isn’t worth the injury when you are travelling for such a long time.
The next bar we went to was the biggest and the only slide that we saw. This slide was not just a slide you would see in a park. It was a slide made for tubes that looked more like a ski jump. Yes, we both did it. Erin definitely didn’t like it, but Trevor loved it! We laughed so hard watching people going off the slide, especially an Italian woman fly like a missile through the air (she made it out in one piece). It is so funny to look back at the videos of us…in slow motion.
Vang Vieng is truly a crazy place. If you are looking for a party and lots of fun, this IS the place to go. It is easy enough to get out of the town and out into the countryside which is absolutely stunning so it gives you a few hours away from the craziness. There are so many bars and restaurants...even ones where you can lay down and watch Simpsons, Family Guy, Friends, or movies. We had a great time, but were ready to move on. We booked a kayak trip to Vientiane with 2 other Canadians, Mercedes and Rita, and Tony from England. We kayaked for 4hrs and then drove the rest of the way, which was a great way to split up the drive. The scenery was amazing, and we were the only ones there. We best part of the trip was when our guide gave us a "pep talk" about WHEN we tip the kayak, make sure to hang on to the paddle with one hand, the boat with the other hand and keep your feet up. We thought this was quite odd that he said WHEN and not IF. WELL, WHEN Trevor and I tipped
the kayak twice, we did exactly as we were told. The rapids were not huge, but big enough that 3 out of the 7 boats tipped going over. Regardless, it was still fun, and the water was quite refreshing. We can't imagine what it would be like in the rainy season, the guide was pointing out the changes and we definitely would not have done it.
We made it to Vientiane pretty late on the 30th and getting close to New Years, it was very difficult to find a place to stay. We would inquire at one place, try another and then go back and the first place was then full. We ended up settling for one quite expensive for Laos, but we were exhausted and didn’t want to miss out on a place to stay. WELL...that was the BEST $30USD we have ever spent because I was sick all day the next day...yes, New Years Eve. It must have been something I ate and I must be more sensitive than Trevor because we shared all our food. We manage to do an hour or so of sightseeing and back to bed I go. I also managed to make
it out in the evening until 10pm, but couldn’t last any long, so I spend New Years in bed sick! SHITTY timing! Fortunately, we caught up with the same people on our kayak trip including Keita from Japan so Trevor could enjoy the New Year Celebration. I got out of bed when I heard "gun shots" and soon realized it was just fireworks. They were better than those in Calgary and we are in Laos! I could not believe it! Trevor had a great night hanging out and didn't get too crazy.
HAPPY 2009!
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