Laos
Vang Vieng
Day 1: Transfer
Arrived at the large train station about 45 minutes before our fast train to Vang Vieng. High speed rail system was built by China, so seemed quite opulent by Laos standards. Checked our passports and tickets, and then security to get into the train station.
We saw people lining up 25 minutes before our train left, so we joined in. 20 minutes before departure they checked our tickets again and allowed us to board.
Seats were fairly comfortable with ample leg room. Train felt full. They also checked our tickets when leaving the train station.
We bought our tickets online (via X website) 24 hours in advance. We didn’t have a choice of seats. Or we couldn’t figure it out. You can buy tickets up to 3 days in advance. Highly recommended to buy tickets as soon as they go on sale as popular times and destinations sell out. Saw from the train that we were getting into more open countryside. NOTE: We were advised not to use X website. Works/reliable in Thailand but not Laos.
Vang Vieng is a very chill, but adventurous, atmosphere. It is a very dusty town with lots of tour booths, restaurants, bars and hotels that sprouted up in this gorgeous natural setting. The town attracts people looking for adventure and/or wanting to party but still didn’t feel crazy. Activities range from hot air ballooning, paramotoring, hiking, swimming, tubing, kayaking, etc. And yes we participated in most of them. Sunsets are beautiful - particularly with the hot air balloons and paramotors in the distance.
The town is surrounded by dramatic limestone karsts with many “blue lagoons”, which are green, and many caves. The Nam Song River flows through, separating the main town from the villages and nature. The town itself is low rise buildings ..... and some description
Dinner: Beats & Bites. Food and wine were wonderful. Best red wine we have had since traveling. Pan tomato, spring rolls, salad, and flank steak all super flavorful.
Hotel: Sunrise Mountain View Resort. At the beginning of town so easy walk to lots of restaurants. Very friendly reception. Suggested to us to cancel our booking in booking.com to avoid the 3% credit card processing fee. Loved the pool and comfy chairs. Loved the view from our balcony. Worth splurging to get a room with a good view. Room was good size. Great shower pressure. Bed a little firm. Decent sheets and towels. Roof top bar. Good breakfast buffet included in room price.
Day 2: Nam Xay Viewpoint
Walked about 2 hours (5.5 miles) to the starting point for the hike. Walked through town and then through a couple of small villages on a main road. We underestimated how long the walk was along the road. Would have taken a tuk tuk or rented bikes if we knew how far we needed to walk before hitting trail. It was hot with no shade and not the most interesting.
Paid the 20 Kip fee per person and up we went to the view point. Only .3 miles, but straight up. Took 40 minutes. Lots of scrambling, big steps, ladders, cables, and stair cases. Fortunately most of the way there was something (roots, trees, rocks, bamboo, and metal railings) to grab onto.
View was absolutely worth it.
Took us about the same amount of time coming down, as Amy was definitely out of her comfort zone. Finding much of it was best going backwards, like descending a ladder.
Got lucky on the walk back as we were quickly picked up by a passing tuk tuk going our way. Dinner Green Restaurant. Killer back deck with seats we were lucky to get along the railing …
… had gorgeous view of balloons and paramotors flying by
As well as a lovely sunset to enjoy our dinner and Beerlaos
Day 3: Blue Lagoon 4
We started our day with an on time pick up at 5:20am as we headed out for a sunrise hot air balloon ride. We booked directly with Above Laos as they were, according to Chat GPT, the safest outfit. We were very happy with them. We sipped coffee while they filled the balloons with huge fans.
At 6:40am we were up in the air.
Scenery was spectacular and sunrise was worth the early wake up.
Our basket was comfortable with eight passengers versus some carry as many as 16 and we enjoyed the magical experience with 6 other nice tourist.
We just cleared a stand of bamboo before approaching an open field. We came down for a smooth upright landing at 7:30am. One of us was glad to be on the ground. In windier conditions the basket is known to tip over and slide on landing. Watched the balloon deflation, and then were transported back to the base area where we started.
Celebrated our successful trip with a light breakfast as our pilots popped a little bubbly to celebrate. We are now flight certified.
After a second breakfast at our hotel, we rented a scooter for $8 for the day. They require you to leave your passport or license behind.
We headed out to see the multiple caves around Blue Lagoon 4. Which was about 30 minutes from town. Lots of potholes. Pay attention to your google maps as we missed a left turn. Took inner tubes and pulled ourselves along the rope into the water cave. Had to watch our heads. Floating through was a fun way to explore the cave.
Walked into cave 2 with larger spaces and cave formations.
Cave 3 started with a large Buddha statue. This cave was reportedly over a kilometer long. Larry went quite far, but eventually lost interest and turned back before reaching the end.
Blue Lagoon 4 was a big party scene with a rope swing and zip line. Of course Larry had to get in for a swim. Too cold for Amy.
On the way back to the road, we stopped to see the Elephant cave. Nothing too special. Back in town we had dinner: Golden Bamboo. Food was very good.
Day 4: Hike and Blue Lagoon 2
Amy was not feeling well, so Larry got out on his own. Rented a scooter again for $8 a day. First stop was a hike straight up -Pha Ngern.
Amy was happy to miss the climb, but more amazing views, and Larry had it all to himself. Watch your step. Loose boards, gaps, nails sticking out.
Next stop was Silver Cliff hike to viewpoint one (Larry realized once too far down that he was supposed to continue to viewpoint 2 -oops). More amazing views with a go cart mounted for photo ops.
Lost all phone connection, so flying blind to try to find Blue Lagoon 1. Saw a direction sign for 6 km to Blue Lagoon 9, so followed. Shortly saw a turn off for Blue Lagoon 2, and decided that would work. Similar but larger than Blue Lagoon 4 we had visited yesterday. Again, many people, and again many Israelis. Larry got in to the cool water for a swim, avoiding people that were jumping in from the high dive platform.
Rode back to hotel to check on Amy and relax a bit before paramotor pick up time of 5:20pm for sunset ride -good timing. LARRY who did you rent from, how much? and for how long, and how far in advance did you book it?
Ride was too short. Even less than the advertised 15 minutes, but amazing.
We had heard from a woman staying at our hotel, Robyn, that she had done the paramotor the day before and took a tumble on landing. Larry wore long pants, long sleeves, and kept his arms and legs pulled in just in case, but was smooth.
Larry got dropped off back at our hotel to meet up with Amy and head to dinner at La Tavolo. She was feeling like some basic pasta would be good for her stomach. Turned out to be a good choice.
OTHER: Check out the morning market before breakfast. Locals show up on foot and scooters with their baskets to purchase their daily food needs from the farmers. The market went on for a couple of blocks. Everything from fruits, vegetables, meats, fish to more exotic - dead rats, dead possums, live Guinea pigs, etc.
