Published: 23.03.2025
Vang Vieng is particularly known for the many different outdoor activities that can be undertaken in the surrounding area. For that reason, I arranged a small day trip with a local tour provider where I had also booked the hot air balloon ride. I was picked up punctually at 8:40, and on the 'loading ramp' of the Tuk-Tuk, which was to take us to the destinations, some companions had already taken their seats, and more were to join during the pick-up round at various hotels; among them were Christian and Felicitas, a couple in their early to mid-50s from Berlin, but with roots near Bautzen, who have taken a year off for a sabbatical and are now traveling around the world, occasionally returning to their homeland. It was quite amusing and really nice to be able to communicate in relaxed German again. After the usual journey filled with potholes and dust, we arrived at the first event: 'tubing' in the 'water cave.' This essentially means that you sit on an inflated tire and float on the water. While tubing in the 'water cave,' you navigate through the impressive rocky cave, armed with a headlamp, using various ropes; you occasionally climb out and lift the tire over small obstacles. The cave, with its stalactite-like rocks, was fantastic, and dragging yourself through the area with your backside in the wet tire was hilarious.
Once I was back out of my swim trunks and somewhat dry, we continued to the 'elephant cave' for a visit. Laos is often referred to as the land of a million elephants. However, that is no longer the case today. Instead, this number has shrunk to just a few thousand remaining in the jungle. Until a few years ago, some elephants used to shelter in the cave we visited. Now, it is a small temple with an elephant carved in stone that is only recognizable at a second glance, along with various Buddha statues.
Then we headed back onto the loading area of the Tuk-Tuk and proceeded to the zipline site. After receiving our equipment, we first crossed a small river and then embarked on a steep hike up the mountain to gain some altitude, which would then quickly be 'descended' again. At the zipline, you dive from one tree platform to another, secured at a decent height by a steel cable. Meanwhile, there are also times when you have to walk a few meters on wooden suspension bridges. It does take some courage, but it's incredibly fun. And you are always doubly secured by carabiners. Anyone who brakes too early loses, namely the momentum to the next platform. But braking early was not my thing anyway. Finally, from the last platform, you make a vertical drop with one-man safety back to the ground. That was a bit more challenging, just letting yourself fall from about 20 meters above the ground...
Then we had a delicious lunch break before heading off to go kayaking with the Tuk-Tuk. I shared a double kayak with a sporty guy in his mid-50s from Australia. His wife and daughter took another kayak together. He is a marathon runner and is currently training for a marathon with his wife while on vacation. With a smile, he told me in his rolling Australian English that he is always in competition with his wife, listing a few sports... I definitely noticed that while paddling ;-)... We set a decent pace and soon left the whole group behind us. The river had rocky rapids from time to time, sometimes making it hard to see exactly where they were, causing us to take a few unintended underwater excursions. On our approximately one-hour trip, we paddled right through bathing buffaloes (?) and past various tubing guests who let themselves drift down less dangerous sections of the river with beers in their tires.
After the kayaking tour, we then went for two hours to the blue lagoon to relax, swim, and enjoy a tasty drink by the turquoise water.
Then the day was almost over, and we headed back to the usual relaxed evening activities in the city and the hotel. It was quite a fantastic last day in Vang Vieng, as tomorrow we head to the last stop in Laos, Vientiane, the capital.
