Lazy Laos

A view of Vang Vieng

Vientiane

Our first stop on the tour of Laos. It is the capital city of the country, though after Vietnam it felt like a small town.  We came across monks at every turn while exploring the city. Before arriving in Vientiane, I read that the Laotian people were extremely conservative reserved people. I was determined to be respectful. After bowling in Vientiane, I realized that what I had read was a gross exaggeration. It was the most rambunctious, uproarious bowling I have ever seen. This was also the location of our historic first visit to Swensens, the king of all ice cream shops. There were many subsequent visits.

Vang Vieng

After a terrifying bus ride along treacherous roads, we arrived in the small town of Vang Vieng. Tucked away in the countryside, this city is a haven for party animals. The main road (one of few) was lined with bars and restaurants. Instead of chairs and tables, restaurants had beds and coffee tables allowing patrons to lounge. In every restaurant, multiple TVs played either Family guy or Friends on repeat. Literally every restaurant.

Vang Vieng is renowned for the river tubing. Jeff and I started our tubing adventure by going on a kayaking/caving adventure. We then relaxed in tubes floating down the river. We didn’t relax for too long though. Most of the river was lined with giant wooden platforms working as bars. The bar owners would throw a line to people floating down the river and drag them in. Every bar along the river featured blaring music, drink buckets, rope swings, and water slides. Tubing in Vang Vieng was one massive party.

Here I am crossing a shaky bridge across the river.

Luang Prabang

This gorgeous city was quite unlike Vang Vieng. It was much more traditional and had beautiful architecture at every turn. Our guidebook called it the most romantic city in SE asia. Though I think this was lost on Jeff and I. Among the highlights were the huge night market and the elephant oasis.

Here is a clip of me releasing some birds at a temple in Luang Prabang.

At the elephant oasis I bought some bananas and sugar cane to feed one of the elephants.

Monument in Vientiane

Monks in Vientiane

Bowling in Vientiane

Exploring Vang Vieng

A view of Vang Vieng

The Vang Vieng river (downstream from the platform bars)

Jeff enjoying his time on the river