Vang Vien

Vang Vien is this great little town located between Luang Prabang and the capital Vietiane. Its pretty amazing because its really flat with these mountains coming out of nowhere.

In the town there are many bars and guesthouses. The guesthouse I stayed at was really nice and only cost $3 aq night. The bars all have TVs which play either Friends or the Simpsons non-stop.

Did a little hiking and visited some of the caves in the area. The Laotian people lived in these caves when the Amercans bombed Laos in the Vietnam war. The North Vietnamese sent troops and supplies through Laos into South Vietnam. And so the US dropped a lot of bombs on Laos. In fact Laos is the most bombed country in the world. Two million tons of bombs were dropped on Laos, which works out to half a ton per person.

After the caves, we went for a ride down the river in inner tubes. There were bars all down the river so you could just paddle on over and get a drink and then continue on down the river. A nice way to finish a day of hiking and caving.

The next day I rented a bicycle and went up to this really huge cave. It was really impressive how high the ceilings were. And the cave went on and on for quite a distance.

I wish I could have stayed longer in Vang Vien, but I'm running out of time so I have to move on.

The mountains at sunset


The view from my hammock


This rock looks like an elephant, which is why this cave is called the Elephant Cave


This Bell was made from an unexploded bomb dropped by the US


I need my MTV!


Clouds coming in over the mountain


I big rock popping up in the middle of a field


A little underwater cave we went into on innertubes


Innertubing in the cave


A nice little stream


Some rice paddies


A Lao tractor


Bars along the river


The innertuber's best friend


Swinging above the river.


Just going with the flow.


Bicycle Monks.

A really big cave.


A monk dropping into the water hole from the swing.


This cow had to cross the brook to get to her calf


Happy cows.


Water Buffalo
Bomb used to decorate the bridge.