Natures Hidden Secret - Vang Vieng

V V is surrounded by mountains
see all photos »

From the keen adventurer to the lonely explorer, Vang Vieng (vv)has a lot to offer!

As im writing this a little after visiting vv i can see now that its not everyone idea of a relaxing place. Some people arriving from northern Laos expected a quiet sleepy village set amongst rainforest where they could relax in quite solitude, as i believe this is what they had been lead to believe.

I saw my first Monkey here and it was someone's pet!

Umm, Lee and Nick, Some of the locals i made friends with.
see all photos »

Instead you find almost a small suburb turned tourist hub housing many internet cafes, bart to kip exchange booths, countless restaurants, one night club, several tour booking places (although usually its done at your guesthouse) and a few tourist shacks selling things from table cloths to clothes. And its accessed by foot, push bikes, motos or the odd tuk tuk along dusty dirt laneways. However judging by the construction going on here i don't think they will be dirt roads for much longer.

The first Monkey not in a zoo that i have ever seen!
see all photos »

This small "suburb" is directly to one side of the "airport" (which never seems to be used for planes) and it would be easy (like many laos towns) to completely overlook the real town unless you make the effort to venture out.

The people are extreamly friendly. By the first day I had made friends with some locals of simlar age who invited me over for a drink on their table set up by the edge of their house and the street. At first i was a bit hesitant wondering what they might be trying to sell (including themselves) but my hesitation was soon lost when talking to another traveler who had been pulled in and explained that they were just friendly people wanting to share their alcohol! In Laos and Thailand alcohol is often used as a way to break the ice and make friends and it is a great custom i have grown to love. Anyway they taught me the Lao way of drinking with friends - pour a little in to one glass, skull, flick out any remains and refill and pass to the next person! I surprised some locals later when using this custom after being introduced to them! Apart from that others would just start talking to you while walking down the street (i think they like to practice their english) or even high five you as they pass you on their bike! I really have never experienced anything like it!

Some of the giant wild life! Its a moth!
see all photos »

I also saw my first MONKEY here! It was tied up to a tree in someones house and was their pet and seeing my interest they let me not only take pictures but go into their yard and get a closer look! I didn't touch this one as i wasn't too sure about its health or if i have had my rabies vacination!

Surrounded completely by gargantious mountains and small rivers there are many activities to keep you entertained for days, from bush treks, half and full day Kayak trips, Bike riding, Cave exploring and Rock climbing to mention a few. Or simply relax by a fresh spring in something resembling a national park, take a motor bike for a spin, swim in the river or enjoy a night by a bonfire with alcohol while making new friends! If your lucky enough (as i was) you will be celebrating a full moon party by the bonfire situated by the edge of the river!

Moon party bonfire! Before it got busy!
see all photos »

The only disappointment was the difficulty in finding a restaurant that didn't blare out episodes of friends or the simpsons (which attracted mainly the american tourists) while eating dinner, and the litter in bush lands.

V V is probably best for a younger crowd although it doesn't have to be the case. This is one place i definitely want to revisit!