Vientiane to Vang Vieng

Jess writes- Vientiane, Laos

Vientiane may only be worth the quick mention below, as the city itself is far from exciting. Although, it did offer more American/Western comforts (i.e. restaurants with aircon and actually toilet bowls instead of holes in the ground). We got there, drove to several guesthouses - all of which are full as they are preparing for today's rocket festival. I think its to culminate the beginning of the rainy season. They strap homemade rockets to large bamboo sticks and then shoot them off. We have yet to see it, as it should be tonight. Some cities celebrate more than others, but according to the Vientiane Times, they have quite a party. Overall Vientiane is exactly what the other travelers we met told us. It's a boring city with amazing food. We thought - perfect - a great place for Donovan to finish recovering. All we did was take a motorcycle tour of the various not so exciting monuments, eat, drink and sleep. Very relaxing.

On the second day in Vientiane, we loaded a bus for an estimated 3 1/2 hour ride to Vagn Vieng. The bus couldn't have been more hot - Donovan thinks it should be driven off a cliff - preferably without us in it. Half way we had to stop and change a blown tire, not to mention driving through two thunderstorms. After 6 long hours, we approached Vang Vieng at sunset. The large fog covered mountains with the sunset backdrop were beautiful. We checked into our guesthouse around 7:30, ate at their restaurant overlooking the river, and crashed. (side note - I had mashed potatoes with miniture lamb meatballs and a peanut sauce on top - top 5 best meals of the trip so far).

Apparently Vang Vieng is the chill out capital of Laos. The funny part is that many of the bars strategically place the tables around a TV that constantly plays re-runs of all the Friends or Family Guy episodes. Very random.

As an aside, we tend to be older than many of our backpacker friends. Most of which are traveling just out of college. Our accomodation comfort levels seem to also be a little different than theirs. A dirty $5 - 8 a night bed just doesn't cut it. We're staying a little further from town, paying a little more, but can enjoy the peace and quiet of our camp-like guesthouse with cold AC. Definitely an inviting atmosphere (when sleeping off a hangover :)! Not that I've needed it yet, but I'll let you know tomorrow.

This morning we ate at their restaurant while watching elephants be bathed across the river. This afternoon we take the revered 4-hour tubing trip down the river. Luckily, we are Guadalupe floating veterans. We'll let you know how it compares...