The bus collected us at our front door and we were heading out of town by about 9am. While the road was sealed all the way there were quite large sections, sometimes only 200 m apart where it was torn up for repair. It was rough, cramped and sometimes quite alarming but we arrived safely in Vang Vieng for lunch. Quite a test of endurance completed. We checked in to the Ban Sabia Bungalows overlooking the river and had a lovely fresh lunch overlooking the limestone karsts. We could go kayaking, rock climbing, caving, mountain biking, trekking or tubing but instead opt for a late afternoon stroll on the far side of the Nam Song River that includes a climb up the smallest of the outcrops. This is the home of extreme sports for a young crowd and we are feeling our age. As we make it to the top a hot air balloon rises over the valley. The climb down was even more difficult that the one up and I'm a bit shattered to learn that in 2 days I have to do another bus trip of twice the length and much windier too. I thought it was a repeat of the first endurance test but it has been doubled!
Friday 16/3
Awakened by the sound of birds I get up early to seek them out but Eric is slow to move and by the time he gets to the balcony We agree on breakfast first. Now it is already getting too hot to walk far but we put in a good effort until lunchtime when we return to town from the outlying rice fields and veggie patches that follow the river valley. We took a Tuk Tuk to the far end of town and ate lunch at the Mulberry Organic Farm. The food was delicious though the service poor, just as well we are on holiday time. The farm was set up by a local chap who was distressed to see the traditional farming methods being overlooked in favor of using herbicides and pesticides. He set out to prove that you could produce equally good food the old ways and still make a profit. He now uses the profit to support local community projects like providing a bus to get kids to school and evening English language classes for both adults or kids. A great local enterprise that you can support by volunteering. Only one downside. The Tubing companies have set up their floating bars right on the same bend in the river and they play loud funky music all day. The noise pollution is very apparent and there are no govt controls.
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