Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
17 November:
Vang Vieng > Vientianne
KIM: I am never drinking again! Or at least until after Cambodia. Maybe around Christmas time I'll consider it. Whose idea was the Kayaking anyway? Up early, my lovely husband packed my backpack for me and then headed to get us some breakfast... I lay, dying in bed... dreading the day that was about to follow.
Oh wait, I haven't mentioned the best (worst?) part. RAIN! Torrential rain... do we have to kayak in this?
So an hour and a half in an open air truck to get to yet another river (Lik River or something similar) and we donned our gear (helmets included) and climbed in to our kayaks. In order to save a little face right now, I won't describe how I was looking or feeling!
Two rapids, and both of them not really graded... apparently. Mark and I were getting really good at this paddling thing when we hit the first rapid (with waterpool). My arse it wasn't graded!!... there was a severe amount of white water... me in the front, Mark behind... we did our best, but it wasn't long when our kayak went over and we were in the water. Now, when anyone has asked, this wasn't actually scary and in fact - quite refreshing and I'm tempted to say fun... however, seeing the panic and fear in our river guides faces was enough to know this was not a joke. I was pulled by my life jacket to safety and we were shouted at to paddle... makes me think twice about this 'non-graded' rapid we just went through. Ah well, we lived to tell the tale and I was on my way to being hangover free!
The scenery down this river was amazing... remote jungle surrounded us, and as a result of the rather chilly weather, a low mist hung over the mountain. I have to add again, that Laos is one of the most beautiful countries! We stopped for a chicken barbeque on the side of the river, before kayaking through some of the flattest water I had seen in a few days. Absolutely broken, tired muscles... we climbed into our mini van and slept for the rest of the way to Vientiane.
A very quick goodbye to the lads (Andy & Chris) who then boarded a sleeper bus to Bangkok (goodluck on that one), a few of us from the trip tried to find some reasonable accommodation in Vientiane (also known as the most boring city in Laos by some). Impossible task we had with everything full and so expensive... we settled in to Laos Youth Inn (the new one). It'll do fine... it's clean (enough) and with air con (not needed).
Dinner at the Tex Mex (have still not eaten a traditional Laos meal)... we had a subdued meal and all headed for the internet.
- comments