17122010 - Vang Vieng, the krabi of Laos, the springbreak venue for drunk morons and also the river of death for tubers. Until you decide to put your bum on a bike seat.

For many people who come to Laos, Vang Vieng is like the must see place. Cheap booze, mushrooms, girls who will take of their bikini tops after downing 1 too many and floating down the river with a beer in one hand and a joint in another. Yes this is the idea of fun for many people who flock over to Vang Vieng in summer spring break mode. Fun until someone gets hurt. I met a Israeli guy in my guest house and his friend died 6 months ago after he was on the rope swing and crashed head first into the rocks below the water and destroyed his skull. For me this is not what i wanted fill my travels with so i didn't even go the the tubing river altogether instead the Belgian and German guys and I did a mountain biking loop around the limestone hills into caves and villages. Highly recommended experience and you have memories of Vang Vieng being a beautiful landscape rather than it being a drugs and booze abusing place. Get off the beaten track and you will be rewarded with great views.The villagers are also very friendly and shouts of "Sabaidee" can be heard from the kids as you approach and cycle pass their homes. These people are more interested in interactions rather than transactions from the businesses in town which are jaded by the shit they see all the time from the tourists.Pictures!

1st day was overcasted by clouds

Korean BBQ with the guys. of course i played the role of
teaching them how to do it the asian way.

Round the loop

One of the caves. this was HUGE and was used by the locals
as a hiding spot during the war.

One of the many villages along the way

sunset at the end of the loop

met this guy the next day and he just caught
this snake from the river and was preparing
it for lunch. I told him to save some for me which
he did after i came back an hour later to allow for
it to be cooked. It was really good. tasted like bitter chicken