"Vang Vieng - A Backpackers' Mecca" Ban Vieng by erik78

The bus ride on Christmas Eve from Phonsavan to Vang Vieng was unforgettable, for better or for worse. Anyway, I have to admit, it was nice to get back to a warmer climate. From Vang Vieng, our plan was to travel to Vientiane and get a bus to Bangkok from there.

Crossing the border into Thailand was quite a unique one. It was like re-entering civilization and being embraced by a familiar culture. And all things considered, that's exactly what it was.

It seemed that the whole town of Vang Vieng was catering for tourists.

Kayaking, Vang Vieng

My friend and I spent a superb day kayaking in Vang Vieng. Encouraged by the experience, we promised ourselves to go kayaking again. When and where is still to be decided.

En-Route to Vientiane

Standing in the back of this pick-up truck we covered the some 160 kilometers from Vang Vieng to Vientiane. As a new air-conditioned mini-van overtook us, we couldn't help frowning upon the way in which some tourists choose to travel. From Vientiane only one more bus ride remained, the one back to Bangkok, which was my home at that time.