So boating on the Mekong. Pretty fast, flowing huge river (i think the 5th largest in the world). Its basically a very wide muddy river, bit like the one they travel up in the Apocalypse Now movie. Very Colonel Kurz territory! Theres not much more to say about that, it has lots of logs floating downsream which occassionally capsize the speedboats, killing tourists. Other than that its a river.

But then....Vang Vieng. Whilst Laos as a country is building its tourism industry, a little piece of Khao San Road has appeared on the Mekong. Already dominated by the teenagers of the UK and Ireland, Vang Vieng has built its tubing academy.

For the un-initiated (and i have to say i didnt know what to expect) tubing is the art of taking tractor inner tubes and making individual vessels for travelling down the river. Whilst i didnt have high expectations of this, i have to say it was great fun. The river is fast flowing, has lots of trees and debris to avoid and the currents take you where you want to go. I loved it. The Laos people have built great bars and swings on the river banks, getting you pissed and out of control as you float down, i am a convert to the tubing....... A quick shot of Lao Lao at each bar and off you go, floating away. Surprisingly not much rain today which made it an even better day.

Finishing off lazing around in a hammock on the banks of the Mekong. When will it be an Olympic sport i wonder....

thanks to Marta for the photos.