Today was the first day of the “biking” portion of the trip but we didn’t actually get on the bikes. We left Vientiane at about 8:30 am by van and took about a 4 hour trip to Vang Vieng. What is Vang Vieng you ask? Here’s a picture from the terrace of our hotel room:
Vang Vieng is a major tourist spot in Laos. The mountains around here are unique and spectacular. Less impressive is that it is a spot that is overrun with young Western trekkers and other assorted characters that happen to be at loose ends.
We were given the option to kayak down the river as an activity for the afternoon. Marie and I decided to go for it. A van took us up river where the kayak was launched. The area was overrun with the “trekkers”. Both side of the river had crummy bars offering cheap drinks while blaring terrible “music” from cheap speakers that were delivering more distortion than music. The participants in the event were sitting in inner tubes drinking themselves into oblivion. It was like the worst frat party you could imagine.
I’d venture to say that many of those visiting this place thought they were doing an “eco” tour but the concept of noise pollution is totally lost on them. It was pretty obnoxious.
As we kayaked down the river the festivities thinned out. The second half of the trip was quite pleasant and peaceful but it didn’t make me want to do it again or recommend it to anyone.
Tomorrow we get on the bikes. We are told that we will spend the night in a very rural area so probably no internet.
Water buffalos in the river.
We had dinner tonight with Chit, the guide. He has a very interesting history. His dad had an official position in opposition to the communists. When the communists took over his dad fled to Thailand twice and spent four years in a reeducation camp. The experience broke up the family. His mother lived a hard life and is now dead. His dad is working as a farmer. Chit was a schoolteacher but then decided to make a career elsewhere. He managed to become a guide and has worked for several tour companies for the last dozen or so years.