Vang Vieng 13-15 Dec

Set among the idyllic mountains, this relaxed and “happy” (“happy” meaning weed in the Mekong area; for example you can buy “happy” pizza in most towns) village is famous for tubing. You rent an old tube from a truck tyre and float down the River. I have been told that there are several bars along the stream where you can stop and get a drink. But it’s more like an entire industry (Lao style) that caters to the need of the tubers. With comfy chairs and several platforms there are up to 100 people in one location and it is bar after bar. When ordering a drink, you get a free shot (mostly Tequila) and with some loud dance music there is a good atmosphere among the tubers. If you feel courageous after a few drinks you can do the many slides, slingshots and swings constructed from thin trees or branches that don’t look too trustworthy. On the tuk tuk ride from the tube shop to the drop point some people showed me their bruised they had got the previous day and I didn’t wanna end up like them.

view over Vang Vieng from my guesthouse

Most people just come for the party and you only see few actually tubing. But floating comfortably on that calm stream watching buffalos bath with the mountains in the background is really relaxing. From time to time the water picks up speed and that’s when it gets shallow. You should make an effort to minimize your draft as much as possible. I was a bit scared my camera would get wet and so I didn’t take it with me. In wet season this river might be challenging but when its dry you shouldn’t encounter many difficulties.

The entire town consist of tourists and locals selling services, therefore it is not as authentic as Hanoi for example. Watching the TV series "Friends" is quite popular for some reasons. There are at least 10 bars and restaurants where you can watch and eat within a five minute walk from my guesthouse. A few do other shows like Simpsons, South Park or Family Guy but 90% show Friends. I never really connected with the 6 people from New York but watching the show in English improves the series enormously.

Hanoi for example. Watching the TV series “Friends” is really popular for some reasons. There are at least 10 places where you could watch and eat within a 5 minutes walk from my guesthouse. A few do other shows like Simpsons, South Park or Family Guy but 90% show Friends. I really never connected with the 6 people from New York but watching the show in English improves the series enormously.