Laos (2) - Luang Prabang - Beer culture and Lao Culture

After Vientiane, we got a bus to Vang Vieng. This was the most chilled out of bus journeys as there was Family Guy running for the whole 3 and a half hours. The reason this bus was so chilled out was because of its destination; Vang Vieng. Hidden within the large limestone karsts lays this once sleepy little town now taken over by Western comforts and cheap booze. Needless to say this has created a Mecca for backpackers in Laos where you can do the world renowned tubing. Tubing involves getting an inner tube of a large wheel and floating down a river, stopping at bars for drinks and dancing. There are also slides and swings in the surrounding area. When we arrived in VV, we met up with Dave. Dave and I got on a bike and went exploring the local area, whilst Sam and Helen went to the pool; we got a flat so had to find a repair shop (easy in SE Asia) and explain what we needed (easy with lots of pointing and loud pidgin English). The next day we went to the bars in the river just to check out the area...we had a lot of buckets (a bucket of spirit and mixer; sometimes with powerful caffeine drink). Danced like a maniac. The next day was a chilled affair around a pool. The last day Sam and I did tubing properly and visited the majority of the bars along the 6km stretch. Due to the proximity to water and alcohol I did not take many pictures of VV.

On a sadder note, 2 people died whilst we were in Laos whilst using the slides and swings. A side effect of alcohol and danger unfortunately.

After 5 days in VV, we headed North again to the town of Luang Prabang. The journey was in a minivan and invloved some hectic hill roads...I do not expect there to be a Tour de Laos anytime soon!!! Our first full day in Luang Prabang was spent wandering around and taking in the sites. We climbed to the top of the main hill that over looks the whole town, on top of this hill there were several Wats.

After the hill we headed to the Kuang Si waterfalls which also had a bear sanctuary nearby. We were able to swim and climb through the waterfalls.

The next day Sam and I went started a two day/one night tour of the local forest and its villages. Typical to form, the rain was heavy on the morning of the first day. Wet season was hitting Laos and our happiness; but we persevered and got to the village of out home stay after a 45minute boat trip and 5hr hike through jungles and streams.

The hike was worth the effort as we were rewarded with a bed in a village where the locals took an interest in us. We were able to wander around and do as we please whilst they continued on as normal. We were also able to see how our tour fees were being spent in education and health within the village and surrounding area. At night we were able to sit with the villagers as they watched the only TV in the town for an hour.

After a good night sleep we were blessed with sunny weather. There was a short walk to the river via some small waterfalls followed by a boat trip.

The next thing was a new experience for Sam and I; Elephant trekking. The elephants are rescued from illegal logging operations and then looked after by trained mahouts. The end result is a happy elephant and good source of income for area.

After the elephant ride we went kayaking which ended with us capsizing in some rapids. Good fun but it was definitely enough...

Tomorrow we fly to Thailand and the northern city of Chiang Mai.