A breakfast of baquette and ommelete starts the day. There is even Australian butter. The owner had mentioned a park nearby with a cave and clear water to swim in so we take the 10 minute walk there. There is a 2000 kip charge to cross the bridge over a chocolate brown river which links to a stretch for tubing. There is a small cave with a Buddha inside and a shrine.
We pay 15000 (£1.20) to climb up to a larger cave network. Steep stairs punishing in the humidity. Thankfully the cave is lit when we enter. Water drips down on us from stalactites. There are staircases that go nowhere, not sure of their purpose. We exit at a great viewpoint which looks over the river and the mountains on the other side of the valley. Heading back in we go deeper into the cave, an unknown breeze washing over us. A small prayer shine illuminates the area. There appears to be no lighting at the back and I get my torch out. The cavern is more open here and we walk till a broken sign on the floor says stop.
We find the pool, water flowing from a cave in the mountain. Snorkel and mask show a few fish and we swim into the cave. 20 feet takes us to the back and it turns left. We go a little further but with out a torch we turn around. The water is cold and refreshing. I brace my feet against some rocks so the current doesn't sweep me away round to another section. I sit underwater enjoying the cool and clear water. Craig films on his Gopro and a local girl jumps in for a bath. She smiles and offers us some soap. What a great bathtub for the residents that brave the cold water.
On return to Jammees thunder can be heard. We head into town for lunch before the rain begins. The decision on where to eat is made for us when torrential rain starts. A Korean Lao BBQ restaurant. Drinking a banana shake, with pork sandwich. Craig opts for the tom yam soup. A huge bowl which is tasty if a little heavy with lemongrass. I watch 3 monkeys in a small cage across the road. A sad state compared to their cousins by the river in Borneo. We walk along the dirt backstreet next to the river. There's quite a current which should make the tubing tomorrow fun. I take a few shots of the beautiful green mountains. After updating my notes, I doze off in the cool room and Craig wakes me at 7pm.
We go to a bar called the Kangaroo bar. It plays the best music, funky lounge and mellow house tunes. The local lad on his virtual decks has similar tastes and I introduce him to Henri Pfr.
We go to Sakura bar that's made popular because whisky with either coke or sprite is free between 8pm and 9pm. Beer pong is a central focus. a game where you bounce a ping pong ball into a glass, the loser having to drink the remains. We stay for a bit and the bar is popular with Europeans and South Koreans.
We head back to Jaidee's, both liking the vibe and the people who go there. We see the English lads again, Eddie, Chris, Hamish, Blue and the other lads name who slips my mind. We play pool and speak with the owner Jaidee. Sitting in a deckchair, the happiest barman in town. The fans are working tonight which is a bonus as Lao bars never seem to have working fans. We sit at the bar and Jaidee set up 2 Jaidee bombs, slams the bar and the shot glasses fall into the red bull. Smiles and hands them to us. A generous fellow who likes the company of travellers. We speak with a Dutch chef called Mark. He plans on opening a pork sandwich shop with his secret recipe. His passion and description has me hoping he will do deliveries back to Scotland. A little eccentric and plans on only selling 20 a day believing the legendary status of his snack. It will cost him $1200 to rent a place for a year. We leave when the bar starts closing around 11:30pm and find a local place selling just noodle soup. Craig opts for plain noodle soup as he is avoiding pork. I go for the red pork noodle soup. Sometimes a meal hits the spot and this is my favourite dish of the trip so far (LT). A rich broth full of pork, vegetables and glass noodles. Little crispy bits of pork float on top, with small pork wantons tucked away beneath the veg. The richness of the broth is outstanding and will be awhile until this dish is beaten.