Laos- Round 2

The day after tomorrow.

It seems we're getting a little tired of being on the move all the time. It's also easier and cheaper to stay put for a while than to be constantly rolling into new towns. As we round our fifth month of this here adventure it seems a trend has developed. When asked by fellow travelers when we are leaving said location we have begun replying "the day after tomorrow". Which roughly means, I don't know, but we're most likely going to stay longer than we planned. SO our latest example is the anomaly that is Vang Vieng, Laos. A four hour bus ride north of the capital Vientiane, this little town is nestled alongside the Nam Song River, shadowed by the limestone mountains that define the topography of central and northern Laos. What separates Vang Vieng from the hundreds of other similar towns in the country is not the topography but the unique tourist industry that has developed here. By unique I really mean wild, drunken, debauchery that burns hot and spits you out ash. During the day this place is the epitome of serenity and hikes through the rice fields and jungle to caves and local swimming holes are beyond cool. At first it's all very confusing. But than you experience a night on the island and it all makes sense. The island is what it sounds like, an island in the middle of the river comprised of several bars selling you children's sand buckets filled with a toxic concoction of the local firewater and what they call Thai Redbull, which should be called Meth-bull. I have never put anything in my body that wanted to exit the side of my stomach with such ferocious vengeance! Bad stuff. But I'll tell you what, you will never dance harder. So after a fight to sunrise consisting of Meth-bull, stomp dancing and flaming limbo, it's needless to say that the day is spent desperately filling your quaking shell with orange juice, water and whatever else that could be used to rebuild your soul. Now the nights are rough and wild but the daily buses full of party-eager travelers have come for the town's main attraction. Four kilometers up the road is the beginning of the inner tube gauntlet. At first glance it appears to be the scene from Peter Pan when you're introduced to the Lost Boys camp. As you get closer you're absolutely positive of your first opinion. The river is lined with bars and bamboo towers of rickety looking rope swings, zip lines and water-slides that would put the bravest to the test. The several hundred swimsuit and body paint clad party people are all armed with squirt guns and colorful buckets of party-aid. Calling this place overwhelming is the understatement of the century! After a bucket you're right in the game, after two buckets the apprehension is replaced by a demanding bravery. Before you know it, you're climbing up the tower with a rope swing handle in your mouth doing quick and hazy calculations. Sorry Ma. Anyways, ten days later we are melting into a bus seat ready for anywhere else on the planet. So here we are back in Vientiane preparing for a trip into the southern part of the country with a rekindled desire to explore with a well hydrated and well slept body.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading this wordy spew:)
C-

Thailand Take 2