Relaxing in Vang Vieng

Today was a free day and was much needed. We took it easy in the morning, ate some food, and tried to figure out what we wanted to do. Originally I had wanted to go out to the waterfalls and swimming area but after thinking about it I really didn't want to go too far. I wanted to stay close and be able to make my own rules so to speak. The waterfalls were about a 20 minute drive away and would have required sharing a tuk Tuk.

So instead we went out to a hotel, Silver Naga Hotel, and used their pool for the afternoon! It was a great way to relax and just chill. I ordered some fancy (non alcoholic) drinks, read my book, swam, and just did my own thing. It was great. The views were also pretty nice! Unobstructed views of the river and the people kayaking below. I chatted with an older gentleman for a bit and learned that a lot of foreigners who work in the city, like yoga instructors and horse trainers for example, work for free in exchange for their flights, accommodation, and food. Not a bad deal!! I'd probably do that if I had such a transferable skill.

After we were finished at the pool we wandered back to the hotel to shower and get ready for a "family" dinner. Today is one of the group members birthdays so we're all going out to eat. The leaders also arranged a cake for him! I guess because my birthday was the first night and we weren't yet assembled as a group I don't get a birthday celebration. But that's cool, I'm with it just being another day of the week.

After dinner most people were just so exhausted that they all went back to the hotel. Myself and a couple others went back to Sakura bar for a drink and chill by the fire pit. They have these awesome shirts at the bar that a couple of the girls wanted to buy before we leave tomorrow so it was a good excuse! It was a tame night though and we were in bed by 10 or 1030 at the latest.Read more