Caving, kayaking, Family Guy and Friends!
Trip Start
Feb 04, 2008
1
15
105
Trip End
Jan 19, 2009
Vang Vieng,
Lao Peoples Dem Rep
Sunday, March 2, 2008
We had quite an action packed first day - went on an organised tour for 100,000 kip each (about $11) where they took us caving in the morning - you get a rubber ring that you sit in and a torch on your head, there's a rope going all through the cave and you just pull yourself along it all the way through the mountain! It was awesome, if not a little cold on the bum when out of the sunshine, but Deb's was a bit scared by the bat that kept screeching and swooping over us - she hates bats
Chillin' by the river
! Then we visited another cave, dry one this time, and had a BBQ lunch next to the river - really pretty scenery, can't wait to show you the photos - we took lots! In the afternoon we kayaked down the river (both of us in 1 kayak). There were a couple of mini rapids but nothing too strenuous! After an hour or so we hit a patch of riverside bars, each complete with it's own complimentary (provided you buy a drink) Swing of Doom i.e. a big bamboo tower with a rope attached to it and a man up there to give you a good push! Will braved it whilst Deb's looked after the beers! Then off down the river again we went! Hard life.We'd planned a big night out at one of the riverside bars we'd discovered the night before but after a hard day on the river(!) all we could manage was a massage and a couple more episodes of Friends before bedtime!
On our second day we took no heed to our painful bums and decided to hire bikes and crossed the river (the bridges are a bit scary - it's like riding over woven leaves and very wobbly!) about 7km to another cave which we had to climb up to. We needed torches as it was really dark but it was massive and went on forever! We managed to spoil everyone else's peace and tranquility as the only torch we had was Will's wind up torch which seemed to get louder the longer we were in there
Rush hour in Vang Vieng
! Deb's was also (obviously) listening out for bats!! She was clearly spending more time watching her feet as she managed to bump her head on a stalagtite - bit of a cut but no air lifting required! When we clambered back down the mountain there was a very welcoming crystal clear lagoon that we jumped in. Really lovely, swimming with lots of little fishes that tickled and nibbled our legs! Nice ride back to the village just before sunset passing locals washing in the river and men herding their cows home. Will almost ran over a little chicken that ran in front of him but managed to stop! Visited a yummy Organic Farm restaurant than night and had the best curry ever accompanied by some rather tasty homemade mulberry wine. Made it out later this time and ventured down to the Smile Bar - joined the 100 or so people already drinking and dancing round the bonfire (busiest place we'd been for a month by a long way). Sang along to the brit pop classics and drank from our buckets of vodka cocktails.
Comments
Jealous
Wow. Sounds like a great couple of days. What's the temperature?
Swing of Doom!!!
See now thats what i call a good time, Caves, rivers beer/Redbull, and Swings of Doom. Sound blood awesome, an i got all excited for you guys cause i've been told about the caves with ropes form Hannah, it sounded cool then.
An buckets, see all that Craig says is true. You must remember me babbling on about Buckets of cocktails!!!
Awesome stuff an so glad to hear you're enjoying yourselves. An im really enjoying the blog.
Love ya both!!
Peace.
Bats
Sounds like you guys are having a great time still! Apart from the water, caves, & fish it sounds awesome!!!! Debbie, bats are brilliant! Love you guys! Less than a month to go! xxxxxx