Vang Vien

Hired a motorbike today. Dodgy Chinese thing 150cc. It kinda had some brakes. More or less. Went on a tour round what are called Blue Lagoons, numbered 3,2 and 1. Had a great time. There were caves at the first one I visited (Blue Lagoon 3). There was a cave behind the lagoon which necessitated a fantastic scrambly climb through the jungle. All hands and feet on rocks and vines - checking the vines to make sure they weren't snakes :) Didn't actually find the cave - at least initially. But a brilliant climb right into the depths of the jungle. Went the wrong way. Had to descend and come back the way I came and eventually found it, but the cave was too cavey to do without a proper light - only had my iPhone torch - so had to give it a miss. Was absolutely dripping with sweat by now, as Laos seems to have forgotten it's the middle of winter. Felt like a real Indiana Jones outing (without the Nazis). Went through Lagoon 2 and then on to Lagoon 1 which also had a cave. Here you could rent head torches (although not helmets as far as I could see) and the cave was huge. Apparently it goes on for 4 km. Decided not to explore that far it as I didn't have sufficient food or water (and it was getting on a bit). But I really want to do some bigger caves. Bring on Vietnam!Read more