Vang Vieng

I could never get sick of the scenery here! Huge tree-covered limestone mountains jutting out everywhere, incredibly blue lagoons and creeks.. it's very gorgeous. It reminds me of the Glasshouse Mountains but 50x more intense. Haven't got any good photos to show yet, though, because it's been a bit rainy!

The day before yesterday we hired mountain bikes and rode 6km out to a cave (I forget its name) and lagoon. The cave was absolutely huge and very interesting to explore! We've had to postpone tubing and rock climbing due to the rain.. I really hope it clears up soon! It feels like wasted time when you can't do anything!

The town of Vang Vieng is very crazy and very tourist-oriented. There are heaps of 'surf shops' selling Billabong and Roxy boardshorts etc, you can buy TimTams and Mars Bars etc from most shops, Pantene Pro-V and Lynx deodorant are even available! Almost every restaurant is constantly playing episodes of Friends or Family Guy. Going shirtless is not very acceptable in Lao culture, but most Western guys strut around the streets in just their boardshorts anyway. I've also seen several girls wearing nothing but bikinis around the streets, probably on their way home from tubing... I just think it's very disrespectful! There are always drunk Westerners around due to the numerous riverside bars offering free whiskey shots and cheap 'buckets' of alcohol. Not to mention the availability of weed, opium, and 'mushrooms' in most bars. There is supposed to be a 12am curfew in Laos, but some of the bars down on the river manage to stay open past that most nights; there is always the loud ruckus of Westerners heading home after they shut. Last night it was about 130 when they all got back to town; I could tell from all the shouting and door slamming. I'm not having a big whinge, I'm just trying to give an illustration of what it's like here! I really feel for the local Lao people, they must be so sick of all the tourists and having to constantly listen to Friends and Family Guy episodes!

Our motorbike wounds are healing well, and we're both healthy and happy :)
Amiee x

Laos album