A Solo Travellers Mind

Before you read ahead in this post I want to start with a quick note, I usually write my thoughts as I go with this blog and when the time comes to post, little is done in the form of editing. However, I feel what’s written here doesn’t articulate just how fantastic this little city truly is. If I’m honest, I’m not sure any words can really express the level of beauty within. You see, basic human needs are not being met, at least not for the majority, and yet the happiness and kindness that comes from the locals, of all ages, is incredible. The natural beauty of this place is an added bonus… Anyway… 

Vang Viang continued to show me exactly why Lao could so easily steal my heart. On arrival I quickly headed out to plan out what I wanted to do with my time here. After booking in for a tour the following day and planning a few of the sights I wanted to see I head to the a veiw point for sunset. The veiw point is a 50 minute walk out the city, and then it’s a 30-50 minute climb up the cliff edge (I did it in 30, sweating my abso balls off when I reached the top while seeing stars). Sunset did not disappoint, once again watching this giant ball fall from the sky. As I walked home, a local called Nong stopped and offered me a free ride into the city centre, also telling me one of the local bars to hit up if I fancied it! Walking to places I find is better, you get to see the culture around you, and really see how people live, for example there is a village “shower” on the walk to the veiw point (a hose where the locals out of the centre go to wash). I feel you miss the things that ground you if you hop in a taxi all the time, and 9/10 if the universe really doesn’t think you should be walking alone, it’ll send a Nong your way. 

A fun filled day, starting off with Cave tubing, then zip lining through the jungle, followed by kayaking, finishing off at one of the local lagoons (with a 10m diving board). Easily one of the funnest and most action packed days of my trip so far! Vang Vieng really is a special place!

The evening entails watching the sunset with Daniel, a friend from Vientiane, followed by dinner and some drinks with a few more friends. A sleepy Emma takes herself home, but first stopping for a choccy roti. A group of locals are already munching at the food stand when I arrive, which then leads to photos being taken with/of me, many compliments coming my way and a skip to the front of the queue… white privilege we could say…

Up bright and early and on the back of a slightly hungover Daniels bike for a day visiting lagoons and riding on questionable roads. Beautiful scenes, platform jumps and a cave later we make it back alive and right before the rain. The evening is spent eating a new local dish I have fallen in love with (fried morning glory) and facetiming friends from home, with a special call to Nicola and Reuban where I witness him crawling in front of me for the first time! 

Another early start for my final day in Vang Vieng, this time a solo adventure to the caves and spring just outside the centre. Two of the caves were very small and if you are claustrophobic I wouldn’t recommend it. The spring was incredibly beautiful with the water leaving from a cave into the stream. Multiple dips (it was truly an amazing experience) trying to not be washed away by the current with no one around to save me! I headed further into the jungle from here, finding some incredibly beautiful spots to sit and read, unfortunately for me the leeches also found it beautiful and I left with 3 attached to my foot, followed by a panic google to ensure that I wasn’t going to get a disease (which apparently I won’t, but I’ll keep everyone informed lol). With most tourists out doing the tipsy tubing, having the place practically to myself was mega mega cool! Having a desire to see more I head out the city (again walking down that big big road), this time to another location, the Pha Nguen Yai Viewpoint. Two hours of hiking and climbing later and I reach the top, and it is absolutely incredible. Having now climbed up two mountains in Vang Vieng the views will never get old. This place and absolutely everything about it is simply incredible! 

Some of my walk home is spent alongside a family, no one has shoes on, but all very happy. The little boy is also thrilled by me joining in the game of kicking a piece of round metal across the road. There seems to be a good percentage of people in this city with disabilities as well, coming across one chap on my walk. I hand him the notes out of my purse as I pass, being unable to imagine how difficult life could be in that situation in a country as poor as Lao. Dinner is at the little family run restaurant across the road again, yet again getting my new favourite. When it’s time to pay the bill I pay what I feel should be paid not the tiny £2.50 it actually costs. No English is spoken by the family that runs this restaurant but gratitude is shown in more ways than just words…

This (very small) city, its nature, its people, everything, is by far the most beautiful thing that I have ever, and potentially will ever see… I’m incredibly sad to be leaving but there is a small northern village calling my name…

P.s if you need a giggle watch the 2 last videos below