VangVieng...

Ok, so this new location of mine may come as a shock to some of you, especially due to the plans announced in my last entery. For others who know my spuratic & indesisive behavior will expect nothing less.

It was around the 7th of September when I began thinking more about my up coming visa run to lao & how soon it was approaching. I hated not having the feeling of freedom that is supposed to come with travelling - what if I loved Lao so much that I wanted to continue to explore it? But with leaving all of my belongings & giving my word to be back for work at Coral Grand I wouldn't have that option. So, after a small taste of what Ij was to expect from the fast approaching monsoon season on Ko Tao my choice was easily made --> Go Traveling! Within 4 days of making my decision I completed the remaining tasks/ exams of my DMT, packed up my things & said good-bye. By the afternoon of the 12th I was on a boat destined for the main land.

On my last night on the island I completed my final task as a DMT... 'The Snorkel Test.' None are the same & depending on your mentor the level of torture varys. Mine consisted of a shot of tequila, blind foldedly setting up a full set of dive gear while being douced by pails of water (my punishment for ducking out before monsoon season). The quality & speed of my equipment set up was the determining factor for the severity of the bucket concocktion to be poured down my snorkel. So, dripping wet I sat with a blacked out mask & a snorkel turned beer bong waiting for the unknown. Thankfully they were kind to me & the only non beverage additive in my bucket was... salt?!

The next day I began what would be a solid 30 hrs. of traveling to get to Vang Vieng, Lao. In the end it was worth every minute. It's a beautifully sleepy little town that's set along side the Nam Song River & jagged limestone peaks. The towns people are all so friendly, they truely live up to the Lao name of 'Land of Smiles.' Children calmly ride their bicycles down the streets to school in their matching imaculate uniforms & the livestock that tends to roam the main road often out numbers the vehicles.

During my stay there I (with a group of fellow Bangkok travellers) participated in what Vang Vieng is most known for... river tubing! Such a blast! It's a 4 km strech of the river that is dotted with make-shift bars, each with its own form of excitement. Some with torturously high rope swings, some with speedy zip lines & even one with mud volleyball.

The next day we all piled on scooters & went in search of the many local caves. Due to 2 of the bikes running out of gas between the rental shop & the petrol station, our lack of clear directions, rough roads & animal dodging we ended up spending more time cruising around then actually caving. We saw some amazing remote villages along the way & the one cave that we did make it to was georgous!

Now it's off to Luang Prabang...