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Asia » Laos » West » Vang Vieng
October 29th 2005
Published: October 29th 2005
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Hi all,

Commin to you loud and clear from Laos, and what a difference from Vietnam. Cam and I keep saying "what the hell were we doing in Vienam".

Seriously, Laos is so beautiful, so layed back, so peaceful and we have only been here two days.

Before leaving Vietnam, I shipped 20 kilos of items back to Australia from Hanoi on Thursday as my backpack was at breaking point. (will take 3 months unfortuantly tho) Got a great shot of the traffic in Hanoi, see timelapse shot..

Was a quick flight yesterday morning from Nam, only 50 mins from Hanoi to Vientiane (Capital of Laos). We were served bread and water on the plane, no kidding. But for such a quick flight, who cares.

After arriving in Vientiane (a small city, but a city none the less) and we wanted out. so grabbed a mini bus to Vang Vieng (around 150kms from Vientiane. The bus had no suspension, and we were crowed in, the road started to get bumpy and I though here we go again................ and then the city tuned into towns and soon after we head into the mountians, my jaw drops and
Hanoi's TrafficHanoi's TrafficHanoi's Traffic

Hanoi's Traffic is hyponotic when watching
the scenery is just so green and exotic. (the photos will expain everything)

This is what we expected throughout Vietnam and just didn't get. Unfortunaly we just did not hit the right spots of Vietnam. Next time, next time...

We arrive in Vang Vieng at around 6pm last night, now from hearing on the grape vine, Vang Vieng is just a backwater town good to stop over on the way to Luang Prubung for a break. Well who ever said that made a grave mistake. I could spend a week here, maybe two...

This is the best spot we have been so far, it's defiantly Backpacker heaven. But as we checked into out hotel, a huge $ 5 for the room (cheapest so far), private bathroom, very clean and tidy too.

Hit the restrants and pubs fo a night out, played a game of pool on the worst able ever, it's the first time I've ever seen a ball squarley aimed at a pocket do a u-turn on the table. Meet heaps of people, ran into the Gals we met on the bus from Ireland and had a few drinks wih them. Even the tourists here seem more at ease and friendly.

We didn't see the view till the next morning.... Oh my GOD... WOW and double WOW...... This place rocks (see piccys). We hired a couple of bikes, (asked how much the bikes were for an hour and we were told $1 (very reasonable we thought), but it was actually $1 for the whole day) I love this town.

We stumbled onto a little place called the Island bar, we had to cross a rickety foot bridge to get to this place. Was just a few open huts by the river side with hammocks. Once Cam and I were in, we didn't move for 2 1/2 hours, who would with longnecks of beer at 1 buck a pop. Met a few gals from Israel and they tried conning us into staying longer in the wonderful town (they have been here for a week and have done so much, thought it was sacralige as we are leaving tomorrow for Luang Prabang)

But we have confirmed and had an extra day in Vang Vieng for an experience that we were told no one should miss, and oh they were sooo right.

This afternoon we paid 3.50 for a big inflated inner tube from a truck tyre, thrown on a tuk tuk and driven upstream. we jumped into the river and for the next two hours, floated peacefully down the river.

It's the most relaxing thing we have done on this trip and is a must for anyone comming to Laos. See pictures. Oh yeah, we grabbed a few beers from the bars on the side of the river for that extra relaxed feeling.

So, I'm just about to walk directly across the road for a 1 hour massage while Cam finnishes his Blog.

To all at home... enjoy work.............well, we have only two weeks left, so I suppose thats some consolation too you :> hehehe.

Until the next blog..... Cyaz




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Vang Vieng at nightVang Vieng at night
Vang Vieng at night

View from our hotel
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30th October 2005

On Paradise.
Hi there, from us...Nan and I are reading about our trip down the river on the tyres...and the hammocks, and the great scenery which looks very serene. Been reading Cammo's too so are getting a great picture of what you are enjoying...what a shame to find such an idyllic place and then move on so quickly. Halong Bay looked stunning, might go there instead of hiring a houseboat on Hawkesbury...cost would probably be about the same! Keeping ringing and blogging. Luv Ya
4th November 2005

Laos
Hi Rbenson and Cam, I love your Laos pictures. I was in Laos early this year (in Feb 05) and plan to go back there next year (April 06) for Laos new year celebration... It is great that you had nice and relax time in Laos.... Steven S.

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