One of the best days of my life

June 29
Vang Vieng, Laos

And the rain came down! The wet season is exactly that - wet. It rains every day; sometimes pours, sometimes rains. This morning it poured. The boys had gone up the mountain to zip line 16 runs. Nate was so nervous about going, but upon return was totally pumped. It helped that they joined Geoff, Hudson and Jordan.

Nate and Jordan.

I stayed back and did some planning for the next few weeks.

The afternoon we set out on the river again this time in tubes to float our way the 8 km to Vang Vieng.

Although the route was the same as yesterday, this scenery never gets old. The current is fast enough this time of year that the ride takes half the time it does in the dry season. A relaxing day on the river that will be hard to rival. I never want to forget. The company was good and the scenery spectacular.

Two stops for refreshments at the two bars that are still open. Steph and Nick waited for us at the first stop.The kids were disgusted by the behaviour and party games westerners partake in while drinking beer. I hope this attitude lasts a few more years. The Australian waitress dressed in a bikini still smoking and drinking as we found her yesterday, apologized for us having come on such a slow day. We thought it was perfect having the river mostly to ourselves. The Laos children who have grown up along this river must have a very strange view of western people.  The stereotypes created in their minds will be hard to change as they age. It is not a flattering stereotype.

Nate and Levi had their first experience with a squatty potty today. The "bathroom" was in a private wooden stall, but it consisted of an Asian toilet and a 20 gallon barrel of water. The woman ahead of me made me think it was a shower instead of a toilet. The amount of sloshing and water oozing out underneath the wall of the stall was steady. So much for underground sewers. That was a lot of water!

Landed back in town later in the afternoon, returned the tubes and headed back to shower.

The crew.

The evening had us explore the abandoned airstrip used in the movie Air America where night markets are set up on certain days of the week. A few local food stalls were set up, but no other market.

A Korean BBQ was the choice for supper.

A sad farewell as we will head to Vientiane tomorrow morning and Geoff and the boys and Nick and Steph are staying on for a few days. It has been a fabulous few days! Some of the best.