Cycling The Road Less Travelled

More then a few times on this blog, you will have heard us complain about places that are too touristy. (Yes, we are tourists ourselves, we do see the irony) Well, here we go again. We were warned about Vang Vieng, both by our guide book and by others we met on the road, but let’s just say that this place is special.

Top 4 Signs that Tourism Has Gone Horribly, Horribly Wrong:

1. Beautiful limestone karsts jutting up by the Nam Song River are overshadowed by the bright neon signs for “Bucket Bar”, “Handsome Bar”, “Massages” and the like.
2. The term “Happy” on a menu means your pancake or shake comes with a little extra “something-something”…yes, “something-something” illegal to make you extra “happy”.
3. Scores of falangs spend hours lying in cafés, in a “happy pancake” stupor watching endless Friends reruns. That right, “Friends” reruns; Joey, Rachel, Ross and the gang. There are countless cafes that just play episode after episode in a continuous loop. Very bizarre. On some level, I’m offended that the locals believe this is what falangs like but to be fair these cafes were always full…sigh.
4. The most popular attraction is sitting in a tube, floating down the river, going from one bar to the next, till you’re so drunk you have to be bused back. Tuk-tuks full of sun-burnt pink, drunken flesh being carted back to their hotels. Now that’s classy.

Ok, we’re being harsh. Tourism brings with it some good and some bad. The upside is that it does bring some much needed funds into the area. That is a very good thing. With all that said, don’t let our complaints put you off going to Vang Vieng. This is a beautiful setting, with many interesting natural attractions to see. It does warrant a stop!