JWOR

Exploring Vang Vieng during the rainy season: a surprisingly thrilling experience.

This time, it may be a matter of correcting several things that were not done the first time around.

The first time I didn't know much, I just sat, lay down, rented a motorbike to travel, and walked around. That's all.

July 8-10, 2017

Second trip to Vang Vieng

Rainy season

What can be done? .........................

August 7, 1960

3:30 AM

Donmeang

Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) to Udon Thani International Airport (UTH)

5:15 AM - 6:20 AM

SL 600

Following the steps, as many reviews have suggested.

TAXI – Udon Thani Bus Terminal

200 baht per car, split among 4 people, 50 baht each.

Surprise!

Upon arriving at the bus terminal, a large crowd was queuing to purchase tickets to Vang Vieng.

Did you book and pay for your ticket online?

Oh, I just found out that you can book and pay online.

Tickets for the Bus Terminal can be booked through the 24-hour Call Center 1490 or by calling 02-8721777.

At that time, two methods came to mind:

1. Travel by car from Udon Thani to Vientiane to Vang Vieng.

2. Gather a group of 10+ people to rent a van.

**What a stroke of luck! Someone who arrived after us is also going to Vang Vieng. She has a contact for a van on the Lao side, so we were able to gather 12 people, just enough to fill the van. We pooled our resources and hired a van from Udon Thani to the Nong Khai border for 750 baht, which comes out to **63 baht per person**.

Van rental from Nong Khai checkpoint to Vang Vieng: 3500 baht for 11 people, 319 baht per person. Only 1 person arrived at the checkpoint.

We arrived in Vang Vieng around 4 pm. The driver was very friendly and dropped us off right at our accommodation.

Accommodation: Abby Boutique Guesthouse

Approximately 900+ baht per person for 5 people in 2 rooms. One room has 3 beds, and the other has a king-size bed.

Book via Booking

*View from the room*

Check-in completed.

Let's find a restaurant to eat, I'm very hungry.

We stumbled upon a restaurant with a group of Korean men dining inside within a 5-minute walk, so we decided to go with this one.

Today's menu totals approximately 200,000++ kip / 4 people.

The tom yum arrived in a shockingly large pot, easily exceeding 200 Thai baht in value.

One-day trip / Negotiated price: 110,000 kip/person

And then it rained, so we returned to our accommodation.

Relax at your leisure.

The sun sets.

Get ready to party at the infamous SAKURA BAR, a must-visit hangout spot for all tourists.

*Free drinks until 9 PM*

Do you think I will miss it? 555+


**Free drunk and then continue to Laos. Oh my god, my stomach hurts. 555**

I wonder if I'll be able to wake up for my trip tomorrow.


9-7-60

7:30 AM

One-day trip starting at 9:00 am, with pick-up at the hotel.

One-day trip activities purchased.

  • Cave diving
  • Elephant Cave
  • Kayaking

- Blue Lagoon

The car has arrived.

Our group members are all Thai.

At first glance, I saw the water in the Song River and was very scared. I was afraid my mother would hit me. The water was flowing very fast.

  • I paid for it, so let's see what happens. *

On the way to the water cave

Muddy, muddy, muddy.

Great fun with a light drizzle, making it a slippery but enjoyable experience.

After wading through mud for approximately 20 minutes, we reached the water cave. We received good news that the water level was high, blocking the entrance to the cave. Hooray!

Oh no! What a shame!

The friendly guide led us to a cave whose name I can't recall. After a five-minute walk, we arrived at...

Leaving the cave around noon, it was time for lunch.

Lunch Menu

- Fried rice

- Two skewers of barbecue per person

  • Bread dipped in milk.

- Banana

- Plain water

Let's take a short break and then continue to Tham Chang Cave.

The Elephant Cave, also known as Tham Chang, is a cave with stalactites that resemble the shape of an elephant's head.

Elephant Cave

After exploring the cave's atmosphere,

Next, it's time for kayaking on the Song River.

A full hour, 9 kilometers. The guide said it was fast because the water was flowing strong today.

Very fun, soaking wet.

The final activity of the day.

On the way to the Blue Lagoon...


Ta-da!

We have arrived at the Blue Lagoon.

Upon disembarking, I was immediately struck by the vibrant turquoise color of the water.

What the heck... This is clearly **Broad Lagoon**.

The water changed color due to the heavy rain. The floodwater caused the water to turn brown, as you can see.

Yet everyone continued to jump with unrestrained enthusiasm.

We'll just sit and watch.

The culmination of a one-day trip.

The day ended with extreme drowsiness.

The shuttle then took us to the hotel, where we showered and went out for dinner.

The sentence translates to: "On the way, I passed by a shop selling grilled pork neck. The smell was incredibly delicious."

Let's get this party started!

  • Grilled chicken

- Grilled pork neck

- Grilled sausage

  • Sticky rice
  • Lao cucumber salad

- Lao salad

Everything is delicious, or we're hungry. We'll eat it all, four people.

Return to your accommodation and take a nap.

Prepare to be scalded by hot water at SAKURA BAR again tonight.

No photos tonight at the cherry blossoms because I'm too drunk.

October 7, 1960

The last day.

Rented a motorbike for half a day today.

Visit Tham Jang and Blue Lagoon 2.

The search for clear skies continues. 555

Riding a motorbike, cruising along, with half a day to explore before heading back.

Cave of Jang

There is a cave at the top. I've been here twice and still haven't had the chance to go up. Just seeing the stairs makes my legs shake.

Come down to the bridge and try some snacks. There are coconut pancakes, grilled honeycomb, corn, sweet potatoes, and some kind of beans.

First time trying grilled honeycomb: It's chewy and sour in one bite, and then we're done.

Finally, before returning.

Hunt for turquoise water at Blue Lagoon 2. **Ask the car rental company, they said the water is turquoise, but it's a bit far.**

Let's go.

Though the journey was long, it was worth it. The light rain along the way and the rice paddies being planted on both sides of the road were a beautiful sight.

- Entrance fee: 10,000 kip

  • Free life jackets

- Free lifebuoy

**The beach was deserted, so I jumped straight into the water.**

We could only play in the water for about 15 minutes before we had to leave, as it was almost noon.

The rider sped off, exceeding the time limit by 45 and a half minutes. The rental company staff were very kind and did not charge any additional fees.

Run to the accommodation in a 4x100 meter relay, change clothes, and return home.

** I'm going to miss the train! **

I boarded a van with the intention of going to Vientiane. I wanted to take a quick photo with Patuxai.

The bus is late. It's past 2 pm and it still hasn't arrived. We're in a hurry, so we're starting to get worried.

Time recalculation failed. Gate of Victory, please wait.

Upon arrival in Vientiane, take a taxi to the border for 200 baht per person.

All the paperwork for entering Thailand is done, but there are no more cars going to Udon Thani. Oh my life!

Take the Skylab to Nong Khai bus station. Take a van from Nong Khai back to Udon Thani.

THE END

BANGKOK UDON


#laos#vang vieng
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