Ok firstly, ignore the photo for this journal entry, this is actually somewhere in Nepal. What can I say the STA photo library does not really cover anyway in Laos.

Anyway, before I begin with the interesting stuff I just wanted to say how pants my new year was. As you may recall from my previous journal Vientiane has a very chilled out vibe, well despite it being new year and all, this did not really change! There was one bar which was quite lively but it was charging $20 entry fee, which I outright refused to pay! So I spent the night looking for a decent lively bar which did not charge astranomical (is this the right word) entrance fees. Well the only bars I could find where playing mellow, chill out music and I could not see anyone actually in a party mood! I even had to endure such songs as 'are you lonesome tonight' over dinner! So I thought, well know I am! jesus! Anyway, to cut the rambling I gave up on finding a decent bar around about 10pm, and retired back to my guesthouse! Luckily I met up with 3 others who had done exactly the same thing, so I ended up chatting to them until 12.00, where we say the 2 minute fireworks and then promptly went to bed. How sad is that? Oh well I have never really been a massive fan of New Yar, so I was not that bothered.

On New Years day I was due to be picked up for my bus to Vang Vieng around 9.30, naturally I worry so I get there for about 9.10, however I did not get picked up until about 10.35 for my 4 hour bus ride. What can I say, the people in Laos are so incredibly laid back, nothing runs to time. So you just have to smile and relax! Anyway, I did not mind so much as I ended up chatting to this strange but interesting swiss guy, who was on a gap year for about 20 years. I believe he said he has been to over 100 countries. I am not too sure about that, but I was pleased for the company!

Anyway, we arrived in Vang Vieng a little after 3pm, which of course is a little too late to do anything, so I spent a while exploring the town, or village to be a little more precise. Vang Vieng, is totally different to Vientiane in that it is smaller but very very lively with tourists outnumbering locals. But the best thing about the place is the stunning surrounding area, it is surrounding by these amazing limstone mountains and rushing rivers, so it kind of reminded me about Halong Bay, except of course it is inland rather than out to sea!

So, as you can imagine the place is perfect to do a few outdoor persuits, so on the second day I signed up to join a caving and Kayaking tour. It was such a wicked day, where we first took a tuk tuk (gotta love the tuk tuks) firstly out to this cave which resembled some elephant or something, couldn't see it myself but smiled and nodded whenever the guide seemed to look my way, we then went to another cave which we were able to tube (think inflatable doughnuts)through the water using a rope, which was a lot of fun. Although I had a bit of a scary moment as my torchlite kept turning itself off and I kept bumping my head! It is sods law that I get the dodgy torch. Anyway after this cave we got on our kayaks, and kayaked for about 6km's before stopping at this swing place. This was really cool as there was a bar, naturally I had a beer Lao and this massive swing, whereby you climb a ladder and swing like a pendulum before falling in the water. On my first attempt I believe I cocked up my landing, as I was ready to let go and my left hand did, however my right hand was still gripping tightly. This meant of course I was kind of hanging slightly upside down, and let go and landed on my face! Very painful, but it got a few laughs!

After the swing we carried on kayaking for a bit down some rapids, which was ok until we had to endure rapids and sharp turn together, well me and my partner actually capsized, and ended up chasing our boat down the river! It is one of those incidents where you can look back and laugh, but at the time I was desperate to catch up with my boat, which we eventually did. I actually ended up having dinner and drinks with my partner in crime, where we had a good laugh about how s***e (sorry mum) we where, neither of us could figure out whether we should be steering left or right!

Today, I did some tubing! Now this was another fantastic day, where you literally float down the river in those inflatable doughnuts, I guess a bit like a real live lazy river! But it was so much fun, as you could litterally float down which was heaven in the sunshine, and then stop for a beer Lao and a river swing or a flying fox, which appeared at almost every turn! So I had such a great time and I am slightly pissed now (can you tell?)

Anyway, before I bore you anymore than I already have, I am leaving Vang Vieng tommorrow for Luang Prabang, which is supposed to be one of the most attractive cities in South East Asia. I also hear that Laos is supposed to get more and more stunning the further north you go, so right now I am really happy! I have had such a great couple of days, which were badly needed after so much hanging around over Christmas and New Year.

Take Care, and please do keep the emails coming.

Jon