Caving in Vang Vieng

When you go Caving in Vang Vieng its actually quite incredible. The limestone hills that surround the river where the city is based are home to some of the most amazing caves, some which are up to 3km in length. Its quite something to experience. 

This is where we started, the tuk tuk drops you at a village at the foot of the mountain. 

This is the village temple as well as home to a cave known as "Elephant" Cave and Temple. It has a stalactite or stalagmite that looks like an elephant in side the cave. All the caves we visited today have a Buddha in them. They are sacred places.

This is the Elephant Temple.

Entrance to Elephant Cave. 

One of the Buddha's in the cave.

Situated in the back is the Buddha. You have to take your shoes off before you ca go in - as with most places in the East. I'm not sure what its about, but probably dirt or respect or something!

Laotian kids in the village. 

This is how they grow sweet potatoes in Laos. They make little mounds and plant them in! It looks like quite a hectic business!

these are Teak forests, they grow teak here primarily for export - by the millions!

This is "Book" he was our guide. It must be quite a risky business taking people into caves, its not that safe and I myself suffered a couple of war wounds.  

He says he's thinking of auditioning for the next Indiana Jones movie...mmmmmmmm...

And this is me looking super, ultra posh with a huge lamp strapped to me forehead!

And then...It started to rain...as if the heat and the humidity were not enough to deal with in the beginning!

Next Cave - this one was 3km long. We couldn't go the whole way because the terrain does not allow for it. It gets too rocky to continue. Its also weird being in a cave, you feel like you don't have enough air. And even though its damp and mangy inside, there is still dust particles that float around everywhere that you can see with your torch.

The walls of the cave.

Its so dark and manky inside the caves. This one usually has water in it, hence the "bridge" -  oh sorry, I mean bit of broken wood linking one side of land to another over a gaping hole. 

 There is the bridge!

Trekking - this is too much fun. The jungles in Laos are just phenomenal!

Oh yes, more safety. These steps were so steep and when they got wet, (and it was raining) they were so slippery. 

Incredible stalactites filled with sparkly things!

And there is Buddha.

More gaping holes - imagine that!

The ceilings were just too extraordinary. Covered with things just hanging everywhere. 

And some more...

Just to give you an idea as to how dark it was, when we all turned our lights off inside, you actually got claustrophobia and are immediately disoriented. Its an awful feeling. 

Got the "game face" on! Just joking - I actually did enjoy it!

"Book" made us go on our hands and knees though tiny crevices and it was slightly unpleasant! 

And back out again! Onto the next cave. 

There were beautiful butterflies everywhere. They come out after the rain. 

Just beautiful...

Walking / trekking at the foot of the mountains. 

This was a little hectic. We had to go in tubes into a cave that has a river running through it. They have marked the way with ropes within the cave that you pull yourself along with.  

Entrance to the cave.

The river running out from the cave.

They had a restaurant and bar at the cave where you can get some lunch or a drink or something. 

A continuation of the river further up stream on our way back to the tuk-tuk. 

Everything is so green and lush and dense that I can't describe you how it is, its quite superb!

Jungle, mountains, rain clouds, rain...it truly is beautiful countryside. 

Its hard to believe a war torn country such as Laos has such beautiful surroundings. Their economy relies so much on tourism. Come everyone get to Laos! Its cheap and easy! It took us one hour to get a Laos Visa and they gave it to us for 2 months! They want us here...

Just sensational...

And then we were back to where we started! 

Across the river and back to the tuk-tuk!

The clouds had lifted and it was turning into a gorg afternoon! 

The drive home...

Going through all the small towns and residential areas. If you think SA is 3rd World, you've got it wrong! This place makes Pretoria look like New York City!

Temple right on top of a hill at the foot of the mountain.

Obviously a rough day for the tuk-tuk driver, lucky he's sorted with his hammock at the back so he can just snooze when and where he feels like it! Sort of gives a new meaning to living out of your car!!!!

And this beautiful new family car is an ultra safe and reliable way of transporting your family and loved ones around! Seriously there are no traffic laws, or rules or regulations in this place...AT ALL!