Day 317 - Tubing on the Nam Song River - International Dinner Party
Monday, May 20th, 2019
Today Sunshine knocked on our door at 7:30am. We wanted to leave early to go tubing and avoid the hot afternoon hours. After breakfast, we walked towards the river where we found a tubing company. The lady next door was surprised that we wanted to go so early. She said that people normally started at 1:00pm. We told her that we were trying to avoid the sun at that time.
We negotiated a little bit on the price. In the end, we got a discount because all the clients come in the afternoon. The guy secured good money in the morning when business is slow. We jumped in his tuk-tuk which took us upriver. Very quickly, we learned how slowly the current was moving.
Most of the bars were closed when we floated by but we stopped at one that said, "last bar paddle left". I can not believe that they didn’t have Diet Coke, my only vice! {Gregory's note: her only ... oh, nevermind.] Daniel loved the swing chair set in the water so you could sit with your legs in the river.
Overall, it was a great experience. The views and nature were stunning but it took too long. We roasted in the sun. We ended up being in the sun during the hottest hours and we got sunburned. Also, I don’t recommend tubing at the end of the dry season because the current is so slow. We had to use our hands as oars. I was exhausted when we finally made it to the end. The irony is that we had to stop where nice rapids started! Thank God for Sunshine who caught my tube and held it, or I would have continued my journey! Ha, ha.
Today Sunshine knocked on our door at 7:30am. We wanted to leave early to go tubing and avoid the hot afternoon hours. After breakfast, we walked towards the river where we found a tubing company. The lady next door was surprised that we wanted to go so early. She said that people normally started at 1:00pm. We told her that we were trying to avoid the sun at that time.
We negotiated a little bit on the price. In the end, we got a discount because all the clients come in the afternoon. The guy secured good money in the morning when business is slow. We jumped in his tuk-tuk which took us upriver. Very quickly, we learned how slowly the current was moving.
At first, I was scared, and I really don’t know why. The water was shallow and moving so slowly that it took us 4 hours to go down the river. Vang Vieng is well known for tubing and the bars along the river. It was interesting to see the bars/shacks. When the current is strong, they throw a rope for you to grab, then they pull you in so you can have a beer or play games. We read that there were a lot of accidents and that the government was trying to change the party-town image which is why there are now attractions like kayaking, rock climbing, and ziplines.
Most of the bars were closed when we floated by but we stopped at one that said, "last bar paddle left". I can not believe that they didn’t have Diet Coke, my only vice! {Gregory's note: her only ... oh, nevermind.] Daniel loved the swing chair set in the water so you could sit with your legs in the river.
Overall, it was a great experience. The views and nature were stunning but it took too long. We roasted in the sun. We ended up being in the sun during the hottest hours and we got sunburned. Also, I don’t recommend tubing at the end of the dry season because the current is so slow. We had to use our hands as oars. I was exhausted when we finally made it to the end. The irony is that we had to stop where nice rapids started! Thank God for Sunshine who caught my tube and held it, or I would have continued my journey! Ha, ha.
We stopped for fresh juices and baguette sandwiches at a small shack. We met a family from Australia who were traveling for 10 weeks. It seems like Aussies and Kiwis take months off like that. It's very healthy. Too bad Americans can't do that! We then walked to returned the tubes. I told the owner that I was disappointed to see only two crocodiles. He had scared me at the beginning when I asked him if there was anything to be concerned about.
After 4 hours in the sun, I took a shower then a long nap. At night, Gregory and I went to the walking street which had stands with food, clothes, and souvenirs. We found the Lebanese and German trio that we had met yesterday and we went out for dinner with them and some other French people. We found a delicious restaurant with very reasonable prices. We decided to come back with the kids. We had a great time chatting with these new friends even if they were all much younger than us except for Michel, the Lebanese man, who invited us to his hotel in Beirut!
The international party wanted to go to Viva a bar offering BOGO drinks, while Gregory and I went back to our hotel. This is when I start to feel old but honestly, I don’t care for bars at all. We checked on the kiddos who had popcorn for dinner in the comfort of their room.
After 4 hours in the sun, I took a shower then a long nap. At night, Gregory and I went to the walking street which had stands with food, clothes, and souvenirs. We found the Lebanese and German trio that we had met yesterday and we went out for dinner with them and some other French people. We found a delicious restaurant with very reasonable prices. We decided to come back with the kids. We had a great time chatting with these new friends even if they were all much younger than us except for Michel, the Lebanese man, who invited us to his hotel in Beirut!
The international party wanted to go to Viva a bar offering BOGO drinks, while Gregory and I went back to our hotel. This is when I start to feel old but honestly, I don’t care for bars at all. We checked on the kiddos who had popcorn for dinner in the comfort of their room.
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https://photos.app.goo.gl/F6WFZaHto1PTaMnTA
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