Vang Vieng, Laos

I just got back from spending the new year in Vang Vieng, Laos. It was an outdoorsy 5-day trip filled with floating the river, cave exploration, river parties and baguettes galore (Hallelujah for French colonies).



The Nam Song River put tubing in San Marcos, Texas to shame. For the first half of the river, there are bars (aka wooden decks) every 50-100 meters serving buckets, specials, and even free french fries. For New Years the bars were packed with tourists enjoying the pumping dance beats and gorgeous weather. While we were floating downstream, each bar's staff would throw you ropes to pull you into their bar. Each bar had something unique to offer. Let me show you.

Water slides



Rope swings



Free Buckets



Dance Parties


I looked a random traveler during my initial shock and said, "It's like Spring Break 2010."
She replied, judging the music choices, "Who are we kidding? It's Spring Break 2004."
She was right. And it was amazing.