Vang Vieng

Yesterday we finally moved ourselves from Luang Prabang and took a six hour bus from there to the town of Vang Vieng. Of course the six hour bus took eight hours. Our VIP bus left at 8:30 and the 9:30 bus caught up to us at the eating stop two hours out of V V. Hey we got free noodle soup included in our fare so even though it was tiring we didn't go hungry. The oatmeal cookies from JoMA bakery I'd bought the day before helped too.  

Like Nong Khiaw, Vang Vieng is famous for its limestone karst formations. The view from our hotel:

Yesterday's beautiful sunset taken from the deck of the hotel. 

Today we went for a walk across the river in the rice paddies, right up to the cliffside. We crossed the river on a toll bridge and then walked along the riverside before heading inland. 

This woman was collecting something from the river, perhaps river weeds. 

The rice paddies were lying fallow and we could walk easily along the dikes between fields. 

We weren't alone out there of course. 

Geordie thought this would make a good fixer-upper. 

I even tried out the panorama function on my camera. This gives a better feel for the landscape. 

After crossing the fields we walked along a forest trail. 

And across this small bamboo bridge. 

To a cave where I paid 10000 kip to go inside. The climb up to the cave was a challenge. 

But inside was fascinating - at least until the guide told me I'd have to wait an hour and a half for him to come back while he took three young women on to the lagoon 1 km further into the cave. I wasn't doing that but he wasn't coming back with me first so with two French tourists I made the way back to the entrance. A little scary since the footing was slippery and my shoes didn't appear designed to walk on it. 

Here is only one sample of the cave interior. These mushroom-like formations are only about 30 cm high.

It was good to get back to our hotel where the boat men offer rides up river. We didn't take that journey but the boats they use are so well cared for.