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Published: March 15th 2011
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Sabai Dee Guys,
Laos - Savannkhet
Savankhet is the second largest city in Laos. The architecture is French colonail style. The city is very dusty, dirty and under repair.It is the gateway to The 4000 Islands, Paske and Northern Laos such as Vientiane and Vang Vieng. A lot of people use this city for a visa run as it's so close to the Thai border. Entertainment value not a great deal to offer us other than 2 highlights. The first being a beautiful French restaurant and the second a great floating cafe literally sitting on the Mekong river over looking Thailand on the otherside. One night is sufficient and we are ready to move on. The next stop....
Vientiane ( A long haul over night V.I.P. bus departing Savannkhet 9.30pm )
Now to be fair the bus had lots of leg room big reclining chairs. We tried to sleep to help pass the time and just when we are drifting off , the driver whacks on the brakes and our hearts land abrupltly in our mouths on several occasions. When we arrived at Vientiane it was still dusk ( 5.30am ), the mosquito's were out in force,
everything was closed. The transfer bus dropped off 2 people prior to us, the first an old Chinese guy, 2 suitcases and by the look on his face he had no idea as to his hotel/guest house.... We drive away and all I can see is that poor guy scratching his head. The next stop a very nice old lady with about 2 acres of Laos agriculture stuffed in her bag she gets abandonded in the middle of the road.. As we drive away I can see her face looking bewildered as to where she was to go next. Next up the rest of us dropped in the city centre even though we were absolutly shattered we can see this place has a great appeal. Again a strong French colonial style but well kept with lots of hotels, guest houses, bars, patiserie's ( which is fab because we are sick to death of sweet tasting bread so bring on the french baguette's yum!! Heaven )
Hotel Paradise was lovely, clean, aircon, breakfast included in the nominal fee to stay, ( heart shaped fried eggs, toast and fruit) 2 nights was enough to explore the city and then we were
ready for something with an adreniline fix which came in the form of Vang Vieng.
Vientiane - Vang Vieng ( 3 hour mini bus, good driver which makes a pleasant change.)
First impression was a surprise as the hype for this place is over commercialised, over touristy but what the crictics neglect to mention that it is absolutly stunning, breath taking mountain views which I have to say would give the west coast of Scotland a run for it's money. Vang Vieng is renowned for river tubing, kayaking, cliff jumping and hot air balloon rides.
River tubing - It was one on the most fun, maddest days we've had on the trip! For a fee of £5 you hire your tube for the day.Then a tuk tuk piles in as many people as possible and we chug cough and splutter 15 mins out of town. To be greeted with a shot of God knows what! A short walk across the bridge to bar 1 and the starting point. After a small Beer Lao we jump in our rings cruise along with the current to bar 3, where staff are throwing ropes weighted with plastic bottles to reel
in their punters. It's only 12pm the music is jumping and everyone's up dancing and there is a flying trapese type of swing which is a scream to watch. Bar 5 - Mud volley ball which progresses or digresses depending on which way you look at it to a mud fight. Bar 6 - Big slide, the end of the slide sends you out to the river like a rocket. I will not go into any more detail watch the video to see the outcome. ( At Paddy's expense, Bless! )
The rings had to be returned by 6pm or lose the deposit. 5pm and we have only made it to Bar 8. There are 30 bars in total, by 5.45pm we see a sign there is 2km's to go so we opt for the easy option a tuk tuk the rest of the way.
It's like Wet n Wild without rules, with wooden rickety jumps and swings, a mountainous backdrop, no health and safety, no lifeguards and everyone is drunk as Lords having a great time. Also on offer mushroom shakes, hash cakes, jungle juice with a giant centipede and of an assortment of shots but
for us Beer Lao is more than enough, enough for Paddy to think he can fly! All in all a mad, crazy, fun packed day we loved it!
Vang Vieng - Vientiane ( 3 hour bus journey back and it couldn't be anymore different than going. HELL ON EARTH! Big bus, no aircon, full to the rafters and driving on 2 wheels around the narrow mountain roads )
Happy to be alive and back at our nice hotel to relax!!
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charlie
non-member comment
Tubing!
Hi ya Paddy & Karen, That looks like bloody marvelous fun, ya certainly came 'shooting' off that ramp Paddy,bet the kharki starfish felt that eh!!! I'm sure I've seen some of those 'market bugs ' on a plate in Kilpatrick's kitchen. Keep enjoying Charlie.