Vang Vien, Laos for New Years!

Just managed to upload the photos that are to accompany this entry (my machine can't handle writing + photos together), so please refer below... Our New Year's holiday journey turned out to be naturally divine-- surrounded by beautiful scenery and submerging ourselves in outdoor activities. We kayaked down a river below giant limestone cliffs, which Tony & Howard climbed the following day. While they were climbing, I ventured off on a mountain bike to see what I could see. I found myself scrambling over a dried river bed to reach a cave that claimed to have a buddha inside. Sure enough it did, as I discovered, following my fearless spiderboy of a guide (see pic), but then suddenly my guide decides to take me on his own little adventure through the most ridiculous passages imaginable. Oh,and just before setting off, he shines his 25 cent flashlight on the biggest spider I personally have ever been that close to. Then we were pretty much headfirst through the cave--only my guide happens to be barely 4 feet tall & skinny as a rail, so he really could slink through crazy thin cracks, leaving me alone to squeeze my way. It was completely black & I was mostly lying flat, crawling the best I could. Luckily I was so caught up in catching up that I didn't have much time to contemplate all the what-ifs. Let me just say, that was one of the freakiest, unnerving situations I have ever gotten myself into. Thankfully it was over quick enough (20-30 minutes). When I think back to it I get a serious chill, but I also can't help a bit of hysterical laughter. CRAZY!...And all I got out of the spiderboy was "Money for guide?" You bet I paid him-- for not leaving me in there to rot!... The rest of the day I made sure to be thankful for air & light & space to move about in. I met a wonderful female traveler from Holland, Ester, and together we road to a village, where we were unexpectedly asked for more cash to go any further. Just like that, we were chasing after three new guides (same size as spiderboy) up a very steep climb to the top of a mountain (check me out at the top in photo, taken by Ester). Great heart exercise, spectacular views and lovely company. Ester & I share a love for photography, village children & bagettes with cheese, so we were living this afternoon just as we like. And I was thrilled to have a little female companionship, after three months of male only! I do believe that Tony enjoyed a day of male bonding on those walls of limestone, too. Vang Vien is a fabulous vacation spot! We even got up early on our departure day to check out the rising sun and mist all around the mountains, fields and river. Majestic place. I really enjoyed the bus ride back through all the beautiful mountain villages, as well... back to school for us now! catch ya later. Becca