Laos just after Christmas

In the Tube

Vientiane is the Capitol of Laos and situated right on the Mekong river. When you look across the river you can see the lights and bustle of Thailand which is a distinct difference to the virtually rural Laos. A few days in Vientiane was enough before taking the 4 hr bus trip to an old stomping ground of mine in Vang Vieng. This place is set on a backdrop that a Hollywood blockbuster would die for. The main features in this town is the river and the mountains so all the activities are geared towards them both. Kyaking, walking, cave exploring and of course “Tubing”. Now I know I have wrote in a previous blog about tubing before but they have cranked it up a notch or two. As you float in your tractor tyre inner tube, down the Song River, the stops along the way have become quite sophisticated. Not only do they serve a large range of refreshments and food, but there Flying foxes and rope swings are getting bigger and faster. There is one stop that has a huge water slide, about 30 metres, with a curl at the end (ski jump style) that catapults you into the river at the rate of knots. I have the bruises to prove it. Whatever the opposite to responsible serving of alcohol is then this town would win a gold medal by the length of the straight. There is happy hours, buckets, cocktails, 2 for 1, and you can even get your own tapped keg delivered to your table and you just pour the beer yourself. The main culprit is a really nice local beer called “Beerlao”. A large bottle in a restaurant is less than 2 Aussie dollars. Go Figure.Its new years eve tonight and I can sense a calm before the storm. I’m a tad worried as I have a 9.30am bus to catch in the morning with another 4 hr trip back to Vientiane. Anyway I’m off tubing for one last time. ps: Click on the “Pics” to enlarge them.Next Blog Southern Laos