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Published: April 20th 2009
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Hey Hey
Laos Laos Laos - Well Im afraid this blog entry isnt going to be too lengthy as Laos, well lets just say there isnt much going on apart from the culture!
He says he went be long and i will guarantee there will be an essay so i apologise if he misleads you! We crossed the border from Chaing Khong in Thailand into Laos to get the slow boat down to Luang Prabang. This is basically a wooden long boat with loads of travellers on it cruising the Mekong River.
We had a pointless minute journey between the two borders by a hollow wooden trunk- aka a longboat, and than in true Laos fashion we got on the slow boat 2 hours later then our expected departure time. Scenic for the first day and an achy bum for the next. Lets just say it was an experience. We had great company as we were travelling with Matt and Laura and would be so for the whole of Laos.
We both learnt how to play chinese chequers and estimate (with cards) and trust me this killed the time nicely. We had a one night stop in Pak
Bang which was just an overnight stop but I did get to try Lao Lao, Lao whiskey.....ouch!
I swear this boy asks for it...this shot smelt vile but if it is alcohol it is down Jit's throat in a second. We arrived in Luang Prabang and what a shock it is. An amazing little town, super French and baggeuttes everywhere which makes a nice change from RICE!
I welcomed these baguettes, crossiants and pastries with true passion...after 7 weeks of rice and something, carbs in the form of bread and pastries is heaven sent! We also discovered Joma's cafe/bakery and by god was it a find! Its a great place for just walking around and taking in the atmostphere which is really laid back and mellow. We climbed a little hill here to see the sunset and apart from that spent our time here trying new food and just walking this quaint little town. I did manage to try this whiskey which is femented cobra and centipede and scorpion and a few other things.
See! What did i say early, anything that is remotely acquaited with the word alcohol is down Jit's throat even though this time it is fermented snake! The pics when we get them on will show all....rank!
Rank is really not the word...think of the most disgusting thing you have ever seen and smelt in your life and magnify it by a trillion and this everyone is what Jit drank! (Auntie - Jit's mum - i am trying to prevent him from doing these things...but i think you know just as much as i do that he will not listen!) This stuff will put hairs on your chest.
It put more on your chest than hairs...how about feet and all...hobbit! We also booked our flights into Vietnam as we heard this journey was the journey from hell. Hey nobody's perfect yea, and we are allowed the luxury sometimes. Onto Vang Vieng - This place is known for it's river tubing. After a really scenic bus ride, we arrived in this small town. Checked into this amazing place with a river/mountain view. It was amazing just chilling in the hammock and watching the sunset over the hills.
So river tubing, all I can say is Madness. You get given a massive inner tube and get driven up river and basically
float down the river....every now and again a bar comes along and they throw you a rope and you go up and have a few beers etc. Great, but the fun really starts with all the zip lines and swings into the river. I mean crazy stuff. If you see how they are built, lets just say health and safety isnt an issue here.
They don't know what it is...i mean bamboo structure i am sure there was a reason cement and foundations were discovered. Matt, Laura and myself went crazy while Kay watched from the sidelines,
deep water, alcohol infested and a fear of drowning did not equal safe to me...so yes i chickened out and thank god i did! Its crazy fun, but the next day we would find out what landing on the water 20 times on your ass and back and sides will do to you. Its been 1 week and Im still hurting. I'll let the video's explain all!
I will explain a little...Jit thinks he is some sort of super hero that can fly.
1. you are supposed to let go at the end of the zip line when you know you can land dead straight into the water...no Jit lets go at the end of the line and propels himself 5metres further than you should...then gets stuck in a mini whirlpool!
2. His entry! Most people let go of the zip line and enter the water slim and straight...no once again people Jit lets go of the zip line, waves his legs around and hits the water...full impact...arse first. Hence this is the reason his butt is bruised, sore etc for a week...no sympathy at all!
In my defence, it is high and bloody scary...what would you know woman!
enough to not do it in the first place! Chicken!
There isnt much going on here apart from loads of bars which show re-runs of Friends on constant loop
no adverts, no theme tune...just pure Friends! which is pretty wierd, and its not one or two, its most of them!!!
We headed towards the captial and this is where it got really good. Vientiane has to be the laziest capital in the world. Hardly anyone on the streets, its small and quiet. You might have noticed that Laos, is the laziest place on earth. The locals are always sleeping, you
can walk into a shop and have to wake the owner up....crazy place!
Better still the TV is on and the shop is open but there not there...they are at home sleeping. That is what i call a day's work We again chilled as there wasn't much to do, so played a lot of cards and ate a lot. It got interesting as our time here coincided with the Lao New Year. Well let me tell you this isn't your ordinary party...its a three day water fight. The whole country shuts down (Thailand too) and has a massive water fight. And Im not talking little crappy water guns, im talking hoses and buckets and cannons. Its was crazy!!! We got invited to Mina's place across the road to the hostel we were in and had a party with the locals, free booze and some crazy dancing, lipstick all over our faces and flowers and the next day on the way back from the Buddha park, we got attacked. People (not just kids but old people too) lined the streets and soaked everyone who dared go by. At one point our tuk tuk got surrounded
ambushed is a better word and the keys got taken, so we were sitting ducks. The coloured water was flying and the flour too...doesn't make for a good combo.
I was half expecting eggs to be thrown, us put in a big deep fat fryer and fried! All in all, its was an amazing time and you couldnt ask for a more authentic experience. All in all Laos was really chilled and provided a much needed rest we had no choice but to rest, the whole country was chilling, but next it was onto the busy streets of Vietnam - We said our goodbyes to Matt and Laura - They will be missed, it was great having company, but its back to the awesome twosome!!!
We have to catch a flight on a rickety old plane now so wish us luck! not luck you all had better pray!!!
Until next time!
Au Revoir!!!
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Matt Woods
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Laos.... DONE!
Well you did not miss too much down south. We stayed one day and left for Nam. Loved Hue and are in Hoi An now. Hopefully see you down the route! Have fun and save me some food! x