Vang Vieng, Stomach Issues, Blue Lagoons
For the past 2 days both Robin and I have had awful stomach bugs and had to stay inside instead of experiencing the wonderful Laos.
We got the bullet train into Vang Vieng which was the quickest journey we have taken so far. The train took 40 minutes to travel 300km to the town. The station had airport-like security with my aerosol suncream being taken away, a little random and unnecessary. They also took my penknives which you might agree with but the excuse of the blade size not being ‘big enough’ meant they had to go. We read that they get handed out and sold on so maybe we got got.
After the journey we checked into our hostel. We got given a mixed 6 bed room when we had booked an 8 all female. The outside door also did not lock with only an inside latch for the evening. AC was only allowed on after 6pm!
That night I got the same bug Robin had and spent the whole night awake with the Kuang Si waterfall of Luang Prabang streaming out of my bum. Sorry for the graphic image but it really was that bad. On top of this Robin still had the bug. We both now had diarrhea, severe stomach cramping, headache, body aches, and temperatures!
The next day we booked into a hotel to take the day off recovering in AC. It’s a shame to miss out on Vang Vieng but neither of us were in a state to enjoy the town and what it has to offer. After a plain dinner from 7/11 we went to bed.
Waking up we both felt a little better probably thanks to the rest day in 24 hour aircon. We did our washing, hired a bike, and zoomed off to Blue Lagoon 2. Vang Vieng is famous for its lagoon swimming spots. It has 5/6 blue lagoons commercialized for swimming. Number 2 had a 10m jumping platform and a huge swimming area. We had a dip and a snack. The snack went straight through us and a toilet trip was needed before lagoon 3.
Lagoon 3 was much better with jumping platforms, a zip wire into the lagoon, a rope swing, balance beam, and rubber rings. We spent ages jumping around and swimming. We also braved a plain lunch of chips and fried chicken rice. On hearing thunder we quickly packed up to try visit Nam Xay viewpoint on the way back.
On the way the heavens opened and we got drenched with water pooling in our shoes. Unfortunately we were wearing white tops and so every driver we passed giggled as they saw our bras. We reached the bottom of the viewpoint and were advised not to go up for the rain was making it impossible and very dangerous. People were coming down from halfway covered in scrapes and mud.
Choosing life, we sped back to the hotel but not before cheating death on a rickety bridge. I made Robin walk across before following the locals by driving over logs and planks of wood that bounced, moved, and shook as I drove over them.
We had a shower, had a safe dinner of chiekcn baguette and burger and planned our next morning. We are attempting the viewpoint again tomorrow.
It it worth noting we did not go to blue lagoon 1 due to the reviews. Everyone we have spoken to says it is small and way too busy full of tour buses and tuk tuks.
-M
