Vang Vieng

I wasn't sure what to expect from Vang Vieng, all I heard about it was the tubing injurys that people ended up so I was only planning to stop off for a day or so, go climbing and head onto Vientine. 6 days later and I have just managed to leave!  I found a really chilled out hostel to stay in, it had only been open a month and had a sort of tree house for a dorm where all the beds were on different levels in one big open area, it was really cool, although not advisable to get too drunk when staying on one of the upper levels!  it also had a good common area with some very comfy hammocks looking out onto the amazing hills behind.

Vang Vieng is a really beautiful place its just a shame that tubing is all people associate with it and all people head there for.  I did some climbing the first morning I was there which was really good fun but very exhausting, this time the guide showed me how to do all the knots and ropes etc so it was more than just climbing up and down!  Luckily I went in the morning so avoided all the noise from the tubing which takes over the river in the afternoon.  I did 2 days tubing which was probably enough, there are guys there that have been in Vang Vieng for over 1 year, tubing every day - what a waste of a year!  


I spent 2 days tubing which was more than enough, the first day I didnt manage to do much tubing just lots of bar hopping and zip lines, luckily I got back in a tuk tuck just before 6 so got my deposit back, most people 'mislay'their tubes or kids take them back and get the deposit.  The second day I actually managed to tube the entire river which was really beautiful but far too long to tube down, all the bars are in the first section then the rest of the hour and a half is just river and rapids!


One day I managed to get out of the hammock and cycle to see the 'blue lagoon'and caves (well didnt see the caves but got to the lagoon).  The limestone gives the appearance of a blue river which was quite cool, but it was far too hot to cycle!