Moving South means getting WARMER

I now that's just what you guys at home want to hear - but I don't mean nice warm, I mean permanently SWEATING warm. Leaving Luang Prabang, we took a 6 hour bus ride south to the town of Vang Vieng; the two could NOT be more different! Vang Vieng is a tourist TIME. Saw way more tourists than locals for sure - so different from Luang Prabang! Only stayed a few nights there, we stayed at the Fairmont Vang Vieng - not actually but pretty much. Amazing sleeps. And so much room for activities. Cartwheels. Anyways, the first night we just hung out and saw the town, booked a tour for the next day, and got organized for later in the trip. In the morning we woke up nice and early, grabbed a sandwich from the road stand (because the restaurant people were moving at serious Laos pace and we had places to BE) and headed out for our half day of caving! Very cool. We saw 4 caves; Elephant Cave (named after an elephant shaped stalagmite), cave #2 (I forget and also it was in Lao), Snail Cave (you know why) and last but not least the water cave! The Elephant Cave was essentially a temple built into a cave - one such that you had to remove your shoes before entering. Cave #2 and Snail Cave were giant - Snail Cave, 4KM LONG, we barely scratched the surface. We walked in, armed with headlamps, for about 600m, (ENDLESS) then had to turn around to save time for the water cave. So spooky when you know it is giant but can't really see.... Chamber of Secrets style. Our last cave was the water cave, which we explored in inner tubes, pulling ourselves along ropes attachedto the cave walls! Quite creepy (I thought) because of mystery creatures that definitely saw us... but we didn't see them. Just after noon, our caving experience over, we headed back to town on the lovely Laos roads - paved intermittently and sprinkled with serious potholes - no eating snacks / reading while bussing! After a quiet lunch of noodle soup and reader's digest asia (we are old) we checked out the famed 'tubing' of Vang Vieng (you are an outsider in town if not decked out in 'in the tubing' gear) however because it was already 330 and we didn't feel like paying to rent a tube, we just got a ride up the river and discovered why the town was so empty - because EVERYONE is on the river. Back in town, we had a dinner of pad thai (which I never order) which was delicious - so full I couldn't move. We met up with Sara Haberlin (!!) and her friend Laura at dinner and discovered we will be seeing them along the way, as they are seemingly on the same schedule as us but one day behind! With intent to bus all the way to Hue in Vietnam, we got up nice and early the next day to book a ticket for the painful 25 hour bus ride - only to discover that Vietnam has the same new year as China and is JUST beginning the intensive celebration - which means we can't land border cross into Vietnam until the 31 of Jan. Which doesn't work. So, going with the flow, we booked a bus down south in Laos and arrived in Pakse this morning! Just going with it. Good thing we don't book things much ahead or we'd be hoopied.... Gonna maybe check out some waterfalls and a serious coffee plantation close to here tomorrow (Bolaven Plateau) and then head even further South to 4000 Islands, right on the Cambodian border! Plans are working out - so far so good with the decision to come to Pakse (just waited out a serious rainstorm in this internet cafe - perfect timing) More photos soon when I am organized and bring my camera cord :)