Laos is a country of idillic beauty, of limestone mountains and bamboo villages. Steeped in culture and tradition. Then you get to Viang Veng and your SE Asian paradise implodes. It's a shock to the system, all of a sudden surrounded by drunk shirtless British and Australians that seem to have somehow spilled over from the party beaches of Thailand. It makes you want to run screaming from the place and never return to western civilization from whence these creatures eliminated. So why have I not fled? The paradox of the place is that it is so ugly, yet surrounded by so much beauty. Just over the bridge and you are in rice fields surrounded by breathtaking scenery. I hired a bike yesterday and set off along the bumpy, rocky roads out to a cave. I was almost alone that huge cavernous expanse, exploring with only a small headlamp to light my way. There was no fear in the darkness, just a blissful subterranean tranquility. Emerging into the sunlight again I went swimming in the blue waters that flowed from the caves. Tomorrow I am leaving trash town however for Vientiane. I shall not miss you Viang Veng, still it has been an eye opening experience.
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