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We went to the bus station at 6pm ready for our long trip. We were on the bus for about 12 hours and then we had to get a taxi (well I say taxi but it was a pick up truck) to the boarder. We got dropped off just before the boarder and was told to walk to it ourselves as if we were criminals and they were scarred to take us over. Well we went anyway and at the other side got a tuk tuk to Vientienne where we then had to get a minicab to Viang Vieng. We finally got there at 4 pm so another long journey. Found a nice cheap hostel straight away which was good and went and had well deserved nap. Went out that night and it was like being in a holiday resort in Europe. Its got a few restaurants and bars and a lot of British people. The next day we chilled for a bit. Watched friends in one of the bars and then had an early night ready for tubing the next day. Got up, had breakfast and got our little tuk tuk to the river. It looks so weird. It's a big dirty river with bars on either side. As soon as we walked close to the river people were offering us free shots straight away and we hadn't even had the chance to buy a drink yet. The day just got messier and messier. We went to a few of the bars and had some drinks. Still people are offering you shot after shot all day. We didn't get tubes because most people said don't bother as you have to carry it with you all the time when you not actually in the river and you will lose your deposit if you lose it. While we were there though we had to take one because Ria cant swim and we couldn't get to all the bars. It was a really good day. I swam into one rock though and cut and bruised my leg. There were people there as well swinging off ropes, doing zip wires but knowing me I would have hit a rock so I didn't do it. One bar we were in there was a man just constantly topping up our shots which was not good as we were very drunk by the end. They also give out free French fries which was a plate of about 7 chips and they were undercooked and full of salt which I think was to make us more thirsty and buy more drinks. We finally got our tuk tuk home and was in bed by 10 as we were all so drunk. A very good day though. The next day we just chilled out and watched friends with our hangovers. We actually found some where that night as well that did roast dinners which we were very excited about but very disappointed as it was not very nice. We went tubing again the next day but no shots for me as the thought of them made me feel sick. Still got a bit tipsy and the girls were drunk and once again we were in bed by 10. We must be getting old. Haha.
The next day was again just relaxing, having a stroll round town and booking our bus up north.
We went to get our bus the next day and got told that it was overbooked but we could go in a minibus instead. It gets there quicker so we just went in. We didn't think about it very much though because it was all mountain roads where the driver goes round bends super fast. That's why its quicker because the minibus is smaller and can get round the mountains easier but I felt so sick. It was horrible. We finally got to Luangprabang though and it was quite nice. We were tired so just booked the first room we found which was ok. Went out that night and had a look around. Found another room for the next few nights and it was so nice and cheap. It was massive, slept all 4 of us and was above a bakery. Nice. Had a walk round the night market as well which was really good. The next day we moved into our new place and just relaxed for a bit. We went to the Museum but it was closed so we walked up a million steps to see the view instead. You can buy birds in cages on the way up to set free as well but we didn't do this.
That night we were walking along the river when a storm started to brew. We decided to head back but we were quite far from where we were staying. The wind, thunder and lightning were getting quite bad and as we were trying to get through the night market all the marques started to blow over, parents had screaming children in their arms, it was like something out of a movie. Then the heavens opened and it started pouring down. We had dinner in the bakery that night with candle light as the electric went every 10 mins. We stayed in that night and played monopoly with a few drinks. The next day lukily enough the weather ws nice again and we went on a trip to the biggest waterfall in Laos. It was very nice and we took a picnic. We had a little swim and then went to the bear rescue centre to see some of the bears. Again we had an early night because as we had an early start. We were up at 5:30 because the monks walk down the street collecting food and gifts from the locals and any tourists who want to give anything. Its quite good because there re so many so the streets are filled with them and they all have there orange outfits on. We then had to get our bus at 7:300 to take us even further up north to see some Caves. It was a public bus and very weird. While we were waiting in the bus station there were people knocking on the window offering to sell you food and all sorts. There was 1 guy selling a live fish in a plastic bag full of water. When we were on the bus everyone was staring at us because I don't think they are used to seeing tourists. When we were travelling through the little villages people were even taking our pictures. We got to sam neua about 11 at night and it was so misty we couldn't see out past the station. It was horrible so we just had to stay at the station which was horrible. We got up early the next day and got a bus straight to Viengxay. It was the tiniest village and we didn't know what to do. Luckily we found 2 people who told us where to go and what to do. We found the guesthouse and checked in and them went to do the cave tour. We met an American guy who was also doing the tour. The tour of the caves was quite good. It was about the war in the 1060's/1970's when Laos was being bombed by the US and the caves were where the people had to live for 9 years to stay alive. After the tour John the American guy said that he had met a local who teaches English to Laos children and would like some volunteers so we all went along to help. It was so good to help them. We all then went for dinner that night and had some Laos Laos whiskey which was horrible. We decided to stay anther night because the locals (Make and Noy) said they would take us out for the day to a nice waterfall and make us a picnic if we stayed and helped in the school again the next day. In the morning we went shopping for and picnic and Noy brought a live chicken from the market. It was just tied together by its feet and put into carrier bag. We then have to sit with it in the back of the tuk tuk to the waterfall. A few more locals come with us as well. The waterfall was amazing because its so difficult to get to that no one else was there. It was like another trek again climbing over rocks and sliding down mountains but it was worth it. Again I got injured though. I got stung by a wasp, iv still got a stone imbedded in my big toe, I cut my thumb open and a thorn bush attacked me so I have got a damaged shoulder. Not bad. After the waterfall we went for our picnic. One of the guys slit the chickens throat and then drained the blood and washed it in the river. It was so weird. He then plucked it and put it all in the saucepan to make chicken soup. There were even eggs inside that had a shell on which one of them opened and drank it. There were aso little tiny eggs attached. We stuck to the rice and the soup where as the locals where actually eating everything. The head and the insides. Good day out though. We then went to school again that night to help with the children. Noy picked us up in the morning to take us to the bus stop with John and then Make come to say goodbye as well. It was really nice. We got on a tuk tuk once again that took us to the border with Vietnam. At the border there was a proper meat market with all the meat just sitting on the floor, whole heads, and sometimes just the skin lying there.
Next stop Vietnam ……
- comments
Tami Sasha I feel sick reading that. I don't know how you are coping, all the animal stuff would just upset me way too much. I know they have to eat and stuff but I could not watch someone kill an animal!!! apart from that it sounds like ur having an amazing time apart from all the bruises and cuts etc.... Keep writing the blog, I'm loving reading it but maybe a bit less graphic....lol Stay safe Tami xx