We decided to take in some of the natural attractions and head out to the Waterfall Kaeng Yui in Vang Vieng, Laos. We got a late start to the day and didn't get out until 2pm. We got on the motorbike and headed to where our friend Sam from Holland, said to turn off the main road. We rode down a bumpy dirt road with Buddha in tow as well looking to escape the heat of the day. We drove for 6 km and reached the front gate to the waterfall.
Bamboo Bridge To Kaeng Yui
The Bamboo Bridge
We rode down to a small river and had the option to cross via water or bridge. Shelly got off and we opted for the rickety bridge. Sam said it held him and his bike fine and he is on a big BMW touring bike. It was fun going across the bamboo bridge to the other side. We stopped and took pictures for a while and headed back up the hill to the spot where we leave our bike and hike the rest of the way.
Kaeng Yui
Waterfall Kaeng Yui in Vang Vieng, Laos
Luckily the waterfalls were close to the parking. We walked along paths to two waterfalls. One thinner and longer waterfall about 10 or 15 feet high, and a wider waterfall that was 10 feel tall. We stopped and swam in the cool pools below and swam under the falls. On the wider fall, Shelly climbed the waterfall and I took pictures from above. It was peaceful and we had the place to ourselves. Buddha sat on a rock and watched us swim. We got out and had a packed lunch of quesadilla-style "pancakes" with fried chicken in bacon in them. They were greasy goodness.
Coffee Shakes at Sunset
Coffee Milkshakes and Friends
We left the waterfalls at about 4pm and headed back into town to have iced coffees at a place that has spectacular sunsets over the river. We put Buddha in the room and walked down to the waterfront a few blocks away to sip on coffee milkshakes. Shelly had hers with chopped peanuts in it and we enjoyed sitting in the restaurant in a small personal cabana with pillows and a small table. We always take our shoes off as custom before getting in the "cabana". We enjoy just sitting and people watching and gazing out over the green landscape... sipping delicious coffees.
We sat for about 2 hours and had another round of drinks.. this time I got the peanuts too. We stayed until dark and spoke with some English couple who were quite nice. An Australian and his Spanish wife showed up with their little blonde boy named Jedd. ADHD to the core and quite a terror at the restaurant. I am sure I was very similar to this boy when I was 2 and a half. He came over to us and started playing with our glasses and anything else he could get his hands on. We all laughed and enjoyed ourselves until about 7:30... sunset was at 5:20pm.
View from our Sunset Cafe
Change in Perspective
Again, I can't get over how much fun travel is and how easy it is to make passing friends. Our friends from Australia leave for Luang Prabang, and our mates from Holland will be off to another adventure as will we. At times there is a traveler comradery, that we are all in the same boat in the quest for adventure. It's a good feeling sitting by the banks of the river and watching the sun drop behind the clouds and mountains while enjoying a complete stranger's company. It seems to happen nightly.