June 28, 2017
Vang Vieng, Laos
The best thing about Vang Vieng is getting out of Vang Vieng and exploring the rivers and caves, and seeing the countryside around it.
This was one of the best days of our entire trip. I am in awe of the beauty of this country. We started the day by riding a tuk tuk out to Hoy Cave. Now in the wet season, the water level is high. Travelling by large tractor inner tubes, we floated to the cave entrance and needed to duck to get in. The caves is long and dark so everyone was equipped with a headlamp. Pulling by rope we navigated through the cave, did and uturn and exited through the low entrance. Spectacular.
A family from Australia on vacation with 2 boys were excellent company. They were full of energy and adventure; a good match for my boys.
The hike to this cave took us through well soaked rice paddies and a small village.
From the cave to a section of the Song River for kayaking. I do not think I will ever have a more beautiful kayak ride. The current is fairly strong, so paddling isn't really necessary, except when beating the other boys to a set destination or splashing the oncoming kayaks is necessary. A few mini rapids that made the ride interesting.
What a view. I want to lock this in my brain forever.
A break was deemed necessary for a drink and a plunge.
The current is strong, so a pull back in helps.
There are still a few bars like this that line the Song River. Many have been shut down after numerous deaths. The amount of alcohol consumed with a bar every few meters combined with this fast flowing river and many jumping platforms made the government intervene to shut most of the water sport
travel down. Vang Vieng is trying to make a come back from this loss in tourism by marketing it more for families. They were careful that everyone wore lifejackets and would not let us near certain parts of the rapids. (The rapids were not really rapids!)
The eight km kayak down the Song River landed us back in town. Another tuk tuk ride to the Blue Lagoon. The pictures we looked at before coming were definitely misleading. It looked enormous in the pictures, but in reality it is not much more than a ditch.
None the less, an excellent high diving/jumping opportunity.
Phones and shoes were only a few of the items that were lost at the bottom of this deep canal. If it was drained I wonder what would all turn up.
Nate had eyed up these balls at the Mekong Delta. Today was his day to be a hamster with Levi, Jordan and Hudson.
Jeff and his boys, along with another Aussie couple met up with us for supper. A fun night with good company and food. Also the first night I have not been in a complete sweat just sitting eating supper. A cooler air at night here. I am sure it will not last.
