We decided to go to Vang Vieng from Luang Prabang as the alternative destination of Phonsavan was an expensive 11 hour bus journey away (on Laos buses this would seem like a lifetime) and we weren't too sure if we really wanted to go visit there anyways. Instead, the shorter journey to scenic Vang Vieng seemed like a better option.

I had read about the town before coming away on this trip and wasn't really sure if we should go there. It was described as a place where people seemed to go to indulge in otherwise illegal activities and watch back-to-back episodes of Friends whilst becoming "away with the faries", so to speak. Infact, the meaning of a "Happy Pizza" didn't just mean that you get extra pineapple. We thought that there must be something else there for people to do, it can't be that bad can it?

It was. It was a bit embarrassing actually. The worst point was when we sat inside one of these bars to see what all the fuss was about. They're all open fronted and inside have lots of little platforms for people to lie on with a few cushions. There were, in the one we went to, quite a few people who obviously hadn't moved for quite some time. And they smelled pretty bad too, so bad that the waitresses had to hold their noses when walking around. If thats what the Laos people think of us then thats pretty bad I think. We quickly finished our beer and went for a really good curry, pretty much the only good thing about the whole place!

The next day we decided to try tubing again, as it was a bit of a Vang Vieng tradition and we'd really enjoyed it in Bukit Lawang. We thought if we got up early, we'd miss the crowds and have the river to ourselves. That wasn't the case, there were quite a few people with a lot of energy considering they looked like they hadn't been to bed (I wonder what gave them all that happy enthusiasm...hmm).

Anyways, we got out of town after that and cut short our stay there. I don't mean to sound like I'm having a go at people for being there because if thats what they want to do on their trip then thats fine and good for them finding somewhere thats pretty scenic and totally up their street. But it wasn't for us.

-B