Backpacking in "Laos" at Vang Vieng (PART 3)

December 5, 2016

: Embark on a climb to Pha Phok Cave:

This morning, I woke up early to explore the area that had piqued my curiosity the day before. I had noticed some foreigners entering and exiting a spot near a hill, and I wondered what was so interesting about it. While I was taking pictures of the sunset, I made a mental note to investigate further. Today, I was determined to satisfy my curiosity. I left my accommodation and walked along a narrow path next to the resort, which led to a vast rice field. The morning air was refreshing, and the scent of mud and buffaloes filled the air.

The small hill in the foreground with the orange flag is the entrance to Tham Pha Phok Cave.

We continued taking photos as we walked. On the way, we met a Westerner walking out. We greeted him politely. He said that the viewpoint above was very beautiful. He walked up and down in 20 minutes, very comfortably. We were charmed by his words, thinking that the path must be easy to climb, taking so little time. Besides, it didn't look that high, just a small peak.


After a long journey, we finally reached our destination, where we spent time taking photos and greeting the cows that were happily grazing. We were at the entrance of Pha Phok Cave.


- Pha Phok Cave -

The path leads through a herd of young cows, resembling an archway of trees before reaching the mouth of the cave. However, we did not enter the cave, as our goal was to climb to the summit for a 360-degree view. Upon reaching the summit, we encountered a local elder who appeared to reside there permanently. The front area serves as a ticket booth and a small shop selling drinks and snacks.

There is a small shrine before the ascent. We must pay our respects to the local deities and spirits.

The sight of the stairs on the left was already challenging. (Haha) But a hill of this size shouldn't be too difficult (I think). But I might be wrong. Haha. I remember the words of the Westerner clearly. It should be easy, but from the beginning, it started with climbing.

The initial section will consist of a wooden staircase.

The initial wooden staircase was exhilarating, leading me to believe the entire ascent would be similarly constructed. However, the wooden path abruptly ended, leaving me to scramble and grip the limestone rocks to avoid tumbling down. The ease with which the Westerner navigated this section was astounding, while I struggled to maintain my footing. The entire mountain was composed of limestone, necessitating constant vigilance to ensure the rocks were secure and wouldn't crumble beneath my weight. I cautiously checked each foothold, my feet constantly probing for stability.

There are scenic viewpoints for rest stops along the way.

As I continued my ascent, I realized that it was best to put my camera away to avoid damaging it on the rocky terrain. The path offered few opportunities for photography, and I found myself scrambling through dense forest and scaling steep cliffs. Fear of heights and the risk of falling plagued me throughout the challenging climb. This was my first experience traversing such a long and arduous limestone mountain trail. While I remained determined, the exhaustion was immense.


And so we reached the red flag that was planted at the peak of the mountain.

Standing still before reaching the peak, I took a deep breath. The summit was still out of reach, and I had to climb the final, almost 90-degree ascent. Initially, I felt discouraged and considered handing my camera to a friend who had already reached the top to take a picture for me. However, having come this far, enduring the grueling climb, I questioned why I wouldn't push myself to the summit. This was truly the final push.


On the summit of Pua - A beautiful moment, finally achieved.

The first image that came into view as I pulled myself up made me forget all the fatigue that had been screaming in my mind the whole way up. "Man, if we hadn't climbed up here, we would have missed out big time!!!" The climb up was nothing compared to the beauty that awaited us at the summit.


The first word that came out of my mouth when I finally reached the top was "Wow!" The view was breathtaking, and it made all the effort of climbing up here worth it. I wanted to stop time and just stay there forever. There weren't many places to stand and take photos, so I just sat down and enjoyed the view. The rocks were a bit sharp and uncomfortable, but it was a small price to pay for such an amazing experience. The weather was perfect, which was a welcome change from the rain and clouds of the past few days.


The descent is just as challenging as the ascent, requiring constant backward movement. What takes foreigners 20 minutes to climb up and down takes us over an hour, with frequent breaks. It takes time to mentally prepare for the steepest sections. Our skills are different, I admit. Haha.


After ascending and descending Pha Phok Cave, it was already late morning. The sun was scorching, almost burning our faces. The cool and refreshing feeling of the morning vanished as soon as the sun shone brightly. Villagers started returning home in the late morning, while we were looking for breakfast to replenish our lost energy.

Villagers began returning home in the late morning.

Capturing the beauty of wildflowers and blades of grass along the fence in the morning light. The light is stunning, but the heat is unbearable, scorching my skin.









: Finally got to try "pho" :

Although I initially intended to have breakfast, I stumbled upon this inviting restaurant and decided to indulge in a bowl of pho instead. The experience resembled that of savoring a clear pork noodle soup back home, but the noodles were significantly more tender. The broth possessed a neutral flavor, making it palatable. Accompanying condiments included chili peppers and limes, allowing for personalized seasoning akin to the condiments typically served with noodle dishes.

Eating pho and watching the playful antics of the acrobatic cats. They are truly mischievous, these little feline youngsters! ^^

After a satisfying meal, we had some time to stroll through Vang Vieng and observe the local way of life. We did this in the morning because we planned to rent motorbikes in the afternoon and explore the remaining attractions. There were several places we missed, and upon reflection, we realized we had overlooked them.


Human life is nurtured by rivers.







Bread, steamed buns, and Ovaltine coffee for breakfast here.





These food stalls are all clustered together, making it difficult to choose because they all sell similar items. Haha!

Please Translate:

Our next goal was to find a motorbike to rent, even though neither of us knew how to ride. My friend had some experience, but not much. We decided to take a chance and rent one anyway. We figured, we're already in the same boat, so we might as well go for it. We ended up renting a motorbike and heading out, even though we had no idea what we were doing.

After checking out of our accommodation before noon, we felt a tinge of sadness after spending two days there. We left our large luggage with the accommodation and carried all our valuables with us. The friendly staff informed us that we could shower upon our return from exploring the area before our departure tonight.



Seeking Chic Coffee Shops:

There are not many cafes in Vang Vieng. The famous cafes are always crowded, and the small cafes are hidden in the alleys.

There aren't many shops nearby, but I've got my eye on this one. Looking for some cool air conditioning to escape the midday heat. With this kind of sun, there's no way I can walk around. The shop's name is LOFT BEAT COFFEE.


Inside LOFT ฺBEAT COFFEE



** **

A film camera that I bring with me on every trip.

Approaching 1 pm, we embarked on foot, seeking a motorbike rental shop to explore the various attractions.

The price is constantly changing, but it's still enjoyable. In the meantime, I'm taking pictures of the midday atmosphere.

In Laos, students are allowed to go home for lunch. You will see children cycling home for lunch, each dressed neatly and adorably. According to Lao regulations, girls wear white shirts and black patterned skirts, while boys wear white shirts and long pants.


Students in Laos cycle home for lunch.

The midday atmosphere was bustling with tourists, mostly Chinese, who were driving ATVs and taking pictures. After securing a motorbike and a map, the first goal was to have lunch and practice driving on the right lane before hitting the main road.


Stay tuned for Part 4 in the afternoon, where we'll go on a motorcycle adventure.











#laos#vang vieng
Comments