After Luang Prabang, we jumped on a "VIP" bus down to a little town called Vang Vieng. (Note: "VIP" does not mean an easy bus ride. What ensured was 7 hours of absolute hell which involved the bus not driving straight for more than a few hundred metres through winding mountain ranges, me being sick twice and the air-conditioner above Perry's head breaking and soaking him with water). But ah, Vang Vieng. What an odd place. You get the feeling that this village was built solely for the pleasure of 20-something year old backpackers wanting a drink and a party. Set on the Nam Song River, the town is made up of open cafes, hostels, massage parlours and crepe stalls (peanut, milo, chocolate, banana and condensed milk ... yum!). The most popular thing to do by
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