A Lao Disneyland

Deep in the hills of northern Laos there is a river. On that river the backpacker kids rent old truck inner tubes. They take those inner tubes north of Vang Vieng and they float down that river. On that river exist pubs built on rickety bamboo platforms overhanging the river. At those pubs can be found free all-you-can-stomach Lao whiskey shots all day long, $1 Beerlao tallboys, and buckets of vodka for $3. Above those pubs tower even more rickety bamboo towers reaching 15meters or so. Climbing those towers to find the risky end of a rope swing, zip line, or bamboo waterslide are those Lao whiskey drinking backpacker kids. Now if you want real adventure try floating down the river and attempting to dodge the flying day-glo painted bodies of drunk backpackers. I am not really sure how to explain it better, its either like a water park for spring breakers or a lighter version of the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan. For a kick after dark you can eat outside any of the restaurants in town and chuckle at the gangs of mumbling partiers stumbling up from the river barefoot, limping, and nursing various wounds trying to figure out what happened to themselves and where the after party will be.

Life along the Nam Song

After exiting the Laos capital of Vientiane, we headed a few hours north to a riverside town called Vang Vieng.  An awesome little town set against the backdrop of some amazing pinnacles that rise behind the Nam Song River.  It is really a majestic mountainous scene reminding me of a tropical version of any of the settings you might find along rivers of Montana or maybe Argentina.  Very cool vibe here with lots of outdoor adventures to help you risk your life if you are into that kinda thing.

Fluffy marshmallows

I never really enjoyed flying, and it doesn't help when you have to leave the confines of an 'international' airport of a developing nation and walk across the hot tarmac to board a prop plane from the tale.  Particularly, when it is Lao Airlines with the worst reputation in Asia.  No worries though, this airline seems first rate and it is nice and soothing when it looks like you are flying over a sea of big fluffy marshmallows.

Soupy delights

My favorite lunch back in Manhattan is offered at Tang's Pavilion in the form of soup dumplings.... mmm so tasty. I knew at some point I would be able to find myself a challenger for best dumpling, and I did just that in Vientiane.  A shop known as a specialty dumpling shop had so many different varieties of meat... duck, pork, chicken, shrimp, etc. but I needed to order the pork dumps for the apples to apples comparison.  My assessment: immediate reaction was concern. These did not look like the soup dumplings I was used to, but I was relieved once the soup touched my lips to feel like I was home again. Amazing seasoning of the pork inside the dumpling and probably the best I have ever tasted.  The soup inside this tasty morsel was excellent although I strongly feel they could have double-stuffed more in.  The shell of the dumpling was a bit dry for my taste but overall these dumps were amazing.  Also amazing was the fact that we ordered a dozen dumps as well as a two person Peking Duck set all for under ten bucks... gotta love Asia for its cheap food.

An evening on the Mekong

After a daunting set of flights on some Laos Air prop planes we finally landed in the capital of Laos, Vientiane, up in the north of the country. We bagged a guesthouse room not too far from the Mekong River and got a jump on down to catch the sun setting over the Thailand side of the river. It seems to be a popular place were locals and some travelers go to hang out, drinks some Beer Lao, and enjoy the night. The river has a really cool vibe and the locals were cooking in makeshift kitchens along the banks with makeshift dinning areas set up under strings of lights to host anyone who has a hunger in their belly. After the major disappoinment of the Cambodian cuisine we had been used to over the past week we were excited to see some real local food, and not just pizzas and hamburgers whipped up for the uninspired Westerner.