Nicole and Indrid are in ‘Vang Vieng’,  some 200 kilometers north of Laos’capital Vientiane.  They had the most wonderful time in Luang Prabang and they’re ready to hit the road again.

They won’t get very tired, because right now they bob on the Nam Song river, on big rubber inner tubes from trucks.

 “At the water-side boys with sticks push you off or rake you in.  They even invite you to have a drink in their pub.  Alcohol is not the only thing they sell :  cakes  even drugs !!

We stick to a soft drink.  When you have enough of bobbing on the river, you can transport yourself  across the river  through suspension-bridges, rope-ladders or trapeze.  If you want to play Jane and Tarzan : even that is possible !! Grab a rope, lurch yourself to the other side while shouting the famous Tarzan-scream !!”

“For the children every tourist is a benefactor.  They all stand in line with a stretched arm and hand.  They yell ‘falang’, which means ‘stranger’.  When you touch their hand as in ‘take five’, they’re over the moon and give you a bright smile.  They have the most white teeth we’ve ever seen !!  When, on top, you give them candy, you’re their best friend for the rest of your life. 

“Camping out in the wild is perilous.  The jungle’s still full of munition, a gift from the Americans…

Tourists are being advised to stick to the marked paths and not to digress.  So, when you don’t hear from us next week…”