Loopy Laos

Now my original plan was to split this post up in three...unfortunately, I wasn't aware that the jungle didn't have internet...surely you can't be serious...O I am serious... and don't call me Shirley.

I had never planned on coming to Laos, but after I heard the raves of reviews about tubbing down a river for days on end, well...I knew this place was for me. So I jumped the Thai border into Laos, got my visa...and began waiting for another three hours until we could board the boat. You'd think the waiting period would be to get the boat together or some reasonable shenanigans...well no...it was because they were so disorganised, that it took that long to get everyone accounted for...also, it allowed for the scammers to move in.



These sweet talking individuals who make you feel like the place you're going is a walking theives ground...where you'll get robbed just by looking at someone...also...the boat...ya it's probably going to sink, and the hotel you stay at...well...you will die.

Maybe not that bad, but they were very convincing...still...I almost bit, buuut, I met some great people, and I had a place set to stay at in Luang Prabang...so good thing I didn't fall for it.



Now everyone knew the boat ride was going to be long...so what's the number one way to pass time? Anyone...anyone?...Buehler?...Buehler?...well...drink.
So people were gobbling up the cheap whiskey...(three dollars) and so I thought I'd join the parade. Unfortunately the stuff was terrible, but it led to some great conversations, games and plain ol shenanigans. Sure made the time pass quickly.



Then we arrived to a town...that really only makes its money, because of the tourists who come through. Smack dab in the middle of malaria country. Also even luckier for us...we came after another boat...sooo all the good accomodations were taken...yup...here I was...in some beaten up little room, with a tiny little lock, and a giant mosquito net covering the bed.



The good thing about the place was...it had cheap food and drinks...so all of us from the boat shared some laughs, a hearty meal and then packed up at 10:30 because the power went out...now the real fun begins. I've heard of the creatures of the night, but I never classified them with humans...that is until I arrived to Pak Ben(the water town from no where) Anywho...after the lights go out...a few of us party animals think it would be a good idea to scour the town...that is until the rustling creatures appear from the depths of the night. Seriously...when we finally got a flashlight out...they were diving back into the shadows as if they were Gollum from Lord of The Rings...(my precious)

But we all emerged the next day unscathed, and lucky for me I got to witness my first ever dog barbecue...that's right friends...in front of my very eyes...along the street they were freshly cooking a dog...mmm...good thing I didn't taste the "lao sausages"



The next obstacle the lot of us face that day is getting piled into one boat. So the day before we took two boats, now, they think it would be a good idea if all of us fit onto one boat. Of course, yours truly tries to explain the ordeal to whoever is in charge(its so disorganized that no one really knows) but we end up getting no where until a bunch more people start complaining. Then...they start tossing peoples bags over to the new boat...well...mayhem ensues followed by people jumping ship to get to their bags...lucky for me...mines tucked away in the back...safe and sound.



This ride isn't nearly as fun as the first, but still I have a good time as I meet a bunch of cool people, we play cards and share some laughs and soon enough we're in Luang Prabang.



A really nice city...relaxed atmosphere, right by the Mekong river, has a night market, numerous surrounding sites and tons of great places to eat. The best place to eat was this quaint restaurant with a picnic type of feel as you were sitting back with the trees and surrounding wilderness. Really cool...and great food...called Lao Lao Garden.



I only spent a full day there, but I was able to experience alot. A few of us walked around the town, then caught a Tuk Tuk to the huge waterfall. At first I just thought, well, its just going to be a waterfall, no big deal. But turns out, not only was it a massive waterfall, you could swim at the base of it too(not too close of course) Also I got some really great scenery pictures.



After that, the entire group that came together on the boat met up for some drinks and headed out to the only place open until 3am in Luang Prabang...BOWLING. Yes could you imagine that...the most western place in the world, but it was tons of fun...and the best part was...I ended up winning...yup...three strikes in a row at the end sealed the deal for me.

Now it was time to move on to the main place I wanted to see...Vang Vieng...the tubing...the rivers...the cheap drinks...the fun will just not stop. Except for on the van ride up. Only time in my life I can remember where I almost threw up because of all the windy roads. I remember the roads on the way through the mountains in BC and this...was waaaay worse...reason one...tighter...they travel faster...and there's only one lane...yup...every so often...on coming traffic...yikes.

But I arrived safe and sound, met up with people from the slow boat and started the magnificent six days of adventure.



Vang Vieng is notoriously known for its tubing. You go down the mighty Mekong river and on each of its banks there are bars that line it...but that's not it...you can do zip lines...rope swings...jumps or just lie out and listen to music...I did the latter. I tried some swings and zip lines, but soon found that I was one of the least graceful people on this side of the left footed brigade.



I just loved waking up and being able to go tubing for hours on end, having a cold beer along the way, or even a strawberry fruitshake. I did three days of tubing and not only ended up having a great time, but also sore as could be. It was like I had been playing hockey, baseball and basketball hard for the past couple of days. I could barely move on the third day...so I took it easy and watched movies all day...sheeesh tough life eh.



The one day I took a break from tubing a couple of us decided to rent bikes and go up to a cave and a place called blue lagoon. At first it was awesome...we biked up to this secluded lagoon...jumped off the rope swing and just messed around. It was also great just staring at the backdrop of mountains with tons of butterflies floating around us.



Unfortunately, we should have done it after the cave...because we literally entered the destruction depths when we climbed to the cave.

We were led by two small children, probably six or seven who alone could fit through any possible crevasse, with two small lights. So here was three guys all six feet and above walking through the tinniest places, with the littlest light ever. We were tripping, scrapping and cutting every piece of flesh possible. But finally we emerged from the depths and began the descent.



Thankfully no one was hurt...and then we came across the biggest scorpion I've ever seen. Almost bigger then the two kids(slight exaggeration, but the thing was big) Anyway, I wanted to let it live, until it came after us...then we had to kill it. Pretty cool seeing that thing up close and personal.



Boy did I love Vang Vieng...tubbing, sun tanning and plain ol shenanigans...pretty much this place has no rules...which makes it a lot of fun if you can keep your head about yourself...some can't.



But all good things must come to an end. So I packed up my stuff, said goodbye to all my friends as if we'd been family for ages, and boarded the cheap local bus to Vientiene...the capital of Laos.

Since it was cheap and only a three hour bus ride, I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea...well...at first it wasn't, but soon enough, the hoards of people started piling in. And I swear I blinked my eyes for a second and I had two other Laowanese people sitting squished up beside me. Boy did my bum ever fall asleep quickly on that ride.

Lucky for me I'm not claustrophobic, but still...wow, I couldn't WAIT to get out of there. Most uncomfortable ride ever. I arrived in Vientiane in one piece, thought I had lost one of my locks for my bag, thankfully found it, and luckily got a cheap place to stay.

Not too much to see here in Vientiane, basically saw it all within a day. Coolest thing was the Arc de Triomphe kind of thing made here. But other then that...nothing else.



And,I checked the news for Bangkok and it seems the rioting is now over. Looks like I'll be able to make my way to the islands in a nice and timely fashion...hopefully(fingers crossed) One more adventure down...more to come.