An early start to the day again as we were leaving Luang Prabang for Vang Vieng. This meant a 7 hour van ride, through the mountains. Spectacularly beautiful but more switchbacks and curves than I think I have ever encountered. Saw many overturned trucks along the way! Mid-morning we stopped in a Hmong village to watch a game of toss, a ritual mating game played around the Hmong new year. The girls were dressed in traditional costumes, which were absolutely beautiful.
We arrived in Vang Vieng about 4 and had some time to unpack before meeting up for supper. The food is sooo good. One particularly delicious traditional Laos dish is called Laap. Also lots of curries and fried noodle dishes, like pad thai. Their papaya salad is yummy, and quite spicy, as all their salads seem to be.
Our home in Vang Vieng is the hotel Silver Naga. Very pleasant. The town is a dusty little place that would have seen very few tourists even 10 years ago. Can't imagine what another 10 years will do to it.
View along our road trip
Game of toss at Hmong village
View from my hotel room
December 23
Had the best breakfast yet, at our hotel. Totally unexpected in this little town. We then all went on a 25 minute walk to the Jung caves. At that point I realized why we had come to Veng Vieng. What a site. The picture below ilustrates that better than I could with words. Then, mid-morning, two of us went kayaking on the Nam Song river, with a guide. The river was a bit rough in spots but the trip was a real treat. The combination of gently (mostly anyway) flowing water and the mountain peaks was extraordinary.
Free time to wonder in the afternoon. There has been just enough of that. Walked to another temple (Wat That) which was rather run down. There I spied a monk on his laptop. Rather an incongruous site. Happened upon a cyclist we had seen the day before on the road. A man from Holland. Can't belive anyone would cycle those mountain roads. He joined us for a drink and meal at the patio restaurant next to our hotel. Tomorrow morning we are off early for the capital of Laos, Vientiane.
Inside the Jung cave
View from cave entrance
Wat That
