Monday, April 17, 2006

Pi Mai Laos!!

Mike and I were going to surprise everyone with our spontaneous decision to go to Kathmandu, Nepal. We were an hour away from booking our plane ticket when we heard that protests and fighting had broken out in the Thamel tourist district. Not wanting to get in the way of stray bullets, we decided to continue with our original plan of travelling to Laos, then up into China instead. Here's Mike's updated map of where we've been.


After a tourist filled Thailand, Laos has been a breath of fresh air. The Lonely Planet says "Travellers utter a distinct 'ahhh' when they cross into Laos, like settling into a comfy chair after a long day's work." This is the utter truth.

After another night bus (2 in a row!) we arrived in the capital city of Vientiane - a beautiful town with the Mekong river running through it and French colonial architecture sprinkled throughout the streets. As the town is quite small, we rented bicycles to tour the area. What an amazing day! Vientiane is such a quiet place, with minimal traces of Western influences i.e. no 7-11's and McDonalds on every street corner. Very refreshing!




One of the many sights in Vientaine we saw on our bikes.

Two days later we took a bus to Vang Vieng. The normally laid back, quiet villiage/town, was transformed into a place of music, water fights, fairs, with many locals on the streets as they celebrated the Laos New Year (Pi Mai Laos!). So far we have celebrated New Years 3 times!!!

For the past 5 days, we have been tubing down the Nam Xong river (twice) - which includes jumping from swings, zip lines and free falls from 7m... although I swear the cliff was AT LEAST 15 m high... I definately had time to scream for a long time on the way down!. Sorry, pictures are on the film camera, so you'll have to wait until they are developed.

We also rented mountain bikes to tour the villiage and see some famous caves in the area. First we went to Tham Jang - one of the largest caves I've ever been in. A little touristy though as it has cement floors and electrical lights. Our second cave, Tham Phu Kham was 6 km away. This bike ride involved a torrential down pour (okay, maybe just light rain), unpaved really rocky road, and interesting "toll bridges" along the way (see below), plus some aches & pains (some of us hadn't been on a mountain bike in over 10 yrs!). Then we had to climb 200m of rough, slippery terrain to reach the entrance of the cave. But it was worth it! The cave had not been altered from it's natural state (expect for the Buddha shrine in the first section). With only our head lights, we explored the dark caves, saw amazing stagalmites & tites, limestone formations, and a few bats. What a perfect day! Especially with the Laos massage to end the day... mmm massage!


We are actually in the Tham Jang cave but you can't tell, but really we are.


Mike finding a new section of cave, never explored before, or so he says...


Tham Jang Cave

Tham Phu Kham - just a little different than the first cave!!!

The wonderful mountain view that we saw while we biked. That's Christina on the left - a Swedish girl that we've been travelling with in Laos.

One of the toll bridges that we had to pay to get across. I guess capitalism has started in Laos!

This is the view from where I had my massage. You can image why we love Laos so much!!!

Tomorrow we are taking a mini bus to Luang Prabang in Northern Laos where we hope to do some more treks.

To health & happiness,

Kendra & Mike

9 Comments:

At 8:31 a.m., Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi there guys,

Have been reading the news. You must be enjoying it so much. Things are going great, only 5 weeks to go for little baby Riley to arrive. We will let you know when the big day arrives.

Miss you

Love Darren and Ilze

 
At 12:31 p.m., Anonymous Anonymous said...

Love the new shorts Michael. I love your descriptions which make me wish I was there too. Don't forget to come back home. You do remember that you have one?
elf

 
At 8:38 p.m., Anonymous Anonymous said...

Your adventures continue to look absolutely incredible, and I continue to check your site constantly to see if I might luck into a new post...have even shared w/ some fellow travellers (who don't know you!), just so they can live vicariously through your great stories. So keep it coming!

Perhaps comments slowing down b/c most news from home seems small compared to all that you have to share! (From my end: exams, exams, exams, papers, and exams). Boring.

Anyways, I admire all the great things you're doing...and be sure to keep sharing the adventures!

xoxo

J.

 
At 8:50 p.m., Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kendra/Mike,

Good on you to travel off the main stream backpacking areas. Kendra, I am amazed you are really roughing it. I have not heard a comment about air conditioned rooms or 5 star hotels from your adventures. I must admit Danuta and I would pay 5 bucks more to get hot water showers and air con rooms but we are the old folks. Can't wait till your next posting.

Scott Taylor and Pablo have found new jobs outside the mother ship. Good on them!!!

Kei

 
At 9:15 a.m., Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Guys,

I love reading your great entries, looks like you are having the time of your lives. Enjoy! Everyone misses you.

Kendra you are totally impressing me, and Mike..well to ride a bike with a basket on the front...you go boy!

Take care,
Lacie

 
At 1:13 p.m., Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey,
I suppose all the stuff you're doing is alright, especially if you like that kind of thing !! ;)

Wow, I'm green with envy - you guys must by having an absolute blast.

Never a dull moment...

I want to hear about some of the more boring things that you've done - like waiting for the bus, trying to find accommodation, when Mike almost broke something (i.e., hand, foot, arm, leg, skull, etc... there had to be something untoward happen during your splunking adventure)...

It will make our existence seem somewhat more palatable.

Cheers
Dave

 
At 4:39 p.m., Anonymous Anonymous said...

I must say, Laos looks absolutely stunning! Don't be shy and tell us which place you're liking best and which ones not so much. Don't worry, you won't insult anybody (after all, a person is entitled to their opinion). But I guess they're all unique and special in their own way. You guys rock! We're all jelous and hate you for it! hahaha o.k., I take it back, we still love you.
Take care,
Pablo

 
At 6:48 a.m., Blogger Mike said...

Thanks for all the great comments guys. In answer to a couple comments on the website

Terence, I read the "Blog Rules" specifically regarding the owner leaving comments on their own website and its really quite the "Grey Area" and, well, its our blog so we can leave comments if we like....so...yeah...thats it.

Darren and Ilze, Congratulations! definetly let us know on the big day!

Lacie, regarding the basket on the bike, I had no choice that was all they offered...besides they are really quite practical!?

Dave I'll do the next update so I'll try and get some boring stories about travelling in, those stories are some of the best.

OK, everyone else, cheers and thanks again for all the great comments,

Mike Hand

 
At 9:16 a.m., Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi You Two;

I have to say I am totally impressed with your site. You both seem to be having a fantastic time and I am really happy for you.

Its the same old around here not missing anything special. I am off to Cuba May 20 for the week.

You both are missed, not the same anymore.

Take care and have LOTS of fun.

Joseph David Maclean

 

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