| Vang Vieng, Laos --- 15 December 2005 |
Vang Vieng is an increasingly popular destination for backpackers. The Nam Song river, which
passes through Vang Vieng, offers many opportunities for water sports such as kayaking, tubing,
snorkeling, etc.; there are several business in town providing equipment rental and transportation for
those aquatic activities. The area around Van Vieng abounds in caves to explore, open to the public
and easily accessible. There are a number of Hilltribe villages in the area around Vang Vieng and
there are firms organizing visits to those villages on foot, by bicycle, or motorcycle. The scenery is
beautiful whichever way you look. Some say drugs are easily available at bargain prices. Vang Vieng
is a friendly place.
passes through Vang Vieng, offers many opportunities for water sports such as kayaking, tubing,
snorkeling, etc.; there are several business in town providing equipment rental and transportation for
those aquatic activities. The area around Van Vieng abounds in caves to explore, open to the public
and easily accessible. There are a number of Hilltribe villages in the area around Vang Vieng and
there are firms organizing visits to those villages on foot, by bicycle, or motorcycle. The scenery is
beautiful whichever way you look. Some say drugs are easily available at bargain prices. Vang Vieng
is a friendly place.
An important factor explaining Vang Vieng's popularity is that it is cheap. Our basic guest house
room for two with bath cost us US$6 per night. Every restaurant meal cost us US$2 to US$3 per
person, including beer. For most travelers the cost of water sports and excursions probably
averages less than US$10 per day. A haircut cost me US$1.50 and I probably could have gotten it
for less.
room for two with bath cost us US$6 per night. Every restaurant meal cost us US$2 to US$3 per
person, including beer. For most travelers the cost of water sports and excursions probably
averages less than US$10 per day. A haircut cost me US$1.50 and I probably could have gotten it
for less.
The Nam Son river seen from our Saysong Guest House balcony, Vang Vieng.
We took it easy in Vang Vieng. Walked over one of the footbridges over the Nam Song river and
continued up a dirt road through ricer fields surrounded by magnificent limestone mountains. We
came to a sign pointing to a cave and followed a path through the rice fields to a shed where I paid a
small fee and was provided with a couple of guides about ten or twelve years old who led me about
half way up the mountain to a small cave opening, where we were joined by a Swiss couple. We went
into the cave for about 100 meters but could see little as the five of us were sharing one dim
flashlight.
continued up a dirt road through ricer fields surrounded by magnificent limestone mountains. We
came to a sign pointing to a cave and followed a path through the rice fields to a shed where I paid a
small fee and was provided with a couple of guides about ten or twelve years old who led me about
half way up the mountain to a small cave opening, where we were joined by a Swiss couple. We went
into the cave for about 100 meters but could see little as the five of us were sharing one dim
flashlight.
Another view from our Sayson Guest House
balcony. The mountain shown seems to be the
mountain with the cave we visited.
balcony. The mountain shown seems to be the
mountain with the cave we visited.
Returning from the cave located in the mountain in background.
In Van Vieng we again met with the Dutch couple, Wim and Yvonne, with were with us in the minibus
from Luang Prabang. We had noticed them riding their bikes in Luang Prabang but did not know them
at that time. They had brought their own bicycles from The Netherlands and on those bikes toured
extensively on their own in Thailand. In Laos they had ridden their bikes from Vientiane to Luang
Prabang, 384 very hilly kilometers (230 miles), in four days; they were reversing the route by
minibus. From their cycling club in Holland they had obtained detailed information regarding their
cycling routes, including distances between landmarks, the grade for each section of the route,
availability of overnight accommodations, etc. They told us that in one small village they stayed at a
local person's home with no electricity no running water and no indoor bathroom facilities, paying
about US$1 for the night. We have great admiration for this very physically fit and adventurous
gray-haired Dutch couple.
from Luang Prabang. We had noticed them riding their bikes in Luang Prabang but did not know them
at that time. They had brought their own bicycles from The Netherlands and on those bikes toured
extensively on their own in Thailand. In Laos they had ridden their bikes from Vientiane to Luang
Prabang, 384 very hilly kilometers (230 miles), in four days; they were reversing the route by
minibus. From their cycling club in Holland they had obtained detailed information regarding their
cycling routes, including distances between landmarks, the grade for each section of the route,
availability of overnight accommodations, etc. They told us that in one small village they stayed at a
local person's home with no electricity no running water and no indoor bathroom facilities, paying
about US$1 for the night. We have great admiration for this very physically fit and adventurous
gray-haired Dutch couple.
Our intrepid Dutch cycling
friends, Wim and Yvonne
friends, Wim and Yvonne
Coincidentally living in our Sayson Guest House we found John and Karina, whom we met in Pak Beng
and saw again in Luang Prabang. Amazing how you see the same travelers again and again when you go
down a popular backpacker route. We are not backpackers but we often go to the places to which
they go.
and saw again in Luang Prabang. Amazing how you see the same travelers again and again when you go
down a popular backpacker route. We are not backpackers but we often go to the places to which
they go.
The door to our room at the Saysong Guest
House. This was the first time we had
ever seen the room rate shown on the
outside of the room door of a hotel or
guest house.
House. This was the first time we had
ever seen the room rate shown on the
outside of the room door of a hotel or
guest house.
This official police poster was on the wall
of the lobby of the Saysong Guest House.
of the lobby of the Saysong Guest House.
We would have liked to stay longer in Vang Vieng but could not do so as we had to be at Bangkok
International Airport by 18 December. Hope to get back there before it loses its current character.
International Airport by 18 December. Hope to get back there before it loses its current character.