Vang Viang- Laos answer to Queenstown

Vang Viang is totaly unique. It has become a haven for backpackers travelling to spend time on a clear water river, rather than the murky water from all the silt. It breaks up the windy bus journey between Vientiane and Luang Probang. It is also one of the few places one can relax with out the interruptions from locals trying to sell tat.

A local tuk tuk driver kindly offered to drive us to

the start of tubing. Unfortunately he failed to mention he was also going to charge us $2 for the priviledge of driving us 150 yards. Negotiations to retrieve the money (it's the principle of not being conned) was not going too well as voices raised. The driver knowing that we were to leave shortly really was in a rather comanding position. As we mounted the tuk tuk to leave I casually wandered over to his tuk tuk and removed the keys. It would be fair to say that neither of us have seen a driver move so quickly. Had we not got the refund the keys were coming tubing. Moral victory number 2 (again in Laos, like Vietnam, it was to be short victory).

Both Queenstown and Vang Viang offer outdoor activites to see some of the countryside. The main difference is that in Vang Viang you don't need to sober. Tubing is the most popular activity- hiring what must be a tractor inner tube you essentially drift down stream moving from one bar to another. Rope swings and death slides provide a brief distraction from main activity of chilling out as you drift down river. As each bar vies for your attention there is an interesting mix of 80's Euro Pop and the inevitable Bob Marley.

Some people stay in Vang Viang for a few days. For us, 1 night was more than enough. Most restaurants play western DVD's all day. Whilst offering a break from travelling there was not sufficient pull to stay any longer.