Vang Vieng and the end of the world kafa
Laos:Vang Vieng:PlaNet Computers
Arrived in Vang Vieng via 7hr bus ride through the mountains, literally twisting and turning the whole way, it was quite the nauseating ride. Reflecting on Luang Prabang, I definitely enjoyed my time there, but in the end it was reminding me of Virginia Highlands in Atlanta, just aesthetically of course. Immediately made my way across an airstrip of some sorts to the town which consists of ld paved roads up from the river. Its beautiful, sun is setting behind the huge flat faced green mountains, which house the many caves this town is famous for. I find a room quickly in the typical big whitewash guesthouse with shiny tile floors. Hungrily I make my way for the center, walk through some nasty raw meat lined corridors that make me dizzy and weak, and finally find “End of the World Kafa” which serves “Birthday Cake, 2000kip”. Good enough turns into great fortune and I eat a fantastic bowl of tofu/garlic/pepper over sticky rice with great banana shake. I have been braving the shakes and vegetables. Too good to pass up.
So this looks like the typical riverside town converted into an adventure travel outpost, complete with trekking tours of caves, tuk-tuk to river with innertube combo deals, and some freaky organic farm outside of town that wants people to come work for free. Eeewwww. Freaky Manson deal I assume…Well today is cloudy and I am not much in the adventure spirit but make it to what the guesthouse guy tells me is the “best” of caves…they were caves all right, had all the cave trimmings and drippings and colored lights, and were probably good since no other westerners were there, but i’m sorry, if you’ve seen one cave, you’ve seen em all. But I just overheard some guy talking about a festival in the Elephant Cave so see ya later…a festival in a cave is much different than just a cave…