Lang Prabang

Dear Mom and Dad,

 After our long two days traveling, we needed to relax for a couple of days, and that's exactly what we did. Our hostel also had HBO in english, so that was a plus. 

The food is super cheap if you can find the "mom and pop" restaurants. This meal is pork and noodle soup and costs $1.50. We ate here maNY times for lunch.

Our one day of sight seeing consisted of walking to the bamboo bridge. We didn't actually cross it because like everything else, it cost money. 75 cents to be exact. Saving money any way possible. ;)

Before hiking to the viewpoint to watch the sunset, we stopped for a quick refreshment. The boys choose a Lao beer that's the size of two beers for $1.25. 

 I choose an oreo bananna smoothie for the same price.

It costs $2.50 to go to the viewpoint but was totally worth it. Everyone tries to make money, so virtually nothing is free. 

Lang Prabang

Our favorite meal so far has been this one. It costs $5.00 a person and included one big beer, pork, beef, chicken, and an array of vegetables. The silver pan is over hot coals. First you pour water and then start rendering the fat. Next vegetables are added to make the broth. After the soup is almost complete, the meat is added to the top. The meat is cooked to your liking,so of course the boys seared the beef only for a few seconds on each side. I cooked mine a little more throughly. We forgot to take after pictures of the food because it's so delicious we couldnt help ourselves from devouring it. 

Yesterday, we left for Vang Vieng. This was no easy task. We booked the 830 am bus and decided to eat breakfast ahead of time, which means we were up at 630am. If you know anything about charlie or andy, this was a struggle  waking them up. We waited to be picked up until 930 am when the taxi finally arrived. Then we waited at the bus station And had to switch minivans four different times. Finally, they made us split up, and we were off at 11:00am. Andy had one walkie talkie and charlie and I had the other. Charlie and I arrived at 3pm. We were not dropped off at the bus terminal but in the middle of the town and knew immediately finding andy would Not be easy. At 430pm we could hear andy on the walkie talkie. The problem was he couldn't hear us responding. our backup plan was to go to the hostel that we decided on the night before. Charlie and I made our way "there" and found out that the hostel closed three years ago. There was another hostel in its place for $3 a night and decided that was a good price. We only have to share our room with two other girls. After seeing two different groups of people that were on Andys bus, Charlie and I started walking to the bus station where they said he was waiting. He did wait there for over an hour. We started walking there and another group of people said they saw him get into a cab and head towards the town center. We turned around and within feet of our hostel there was andy. It was 630pm and who knew he could read a map. He went to the location of our hostel like we planned and everything worked out. Frustrating nonetheless. 

Here's a picture of a viewpoint that was on our ride. Andys bus took a different route, so he missed out. 

View from the town Vang Vieng.

Small family farm feeding the chickens in the middle of the town. We have come accustomed to cows, goats, water buffalos, and chickens crossing all roads.

Today we are floating down a river with tube for $7. other plans for our stay here include kayaking and rock climbing, but depending on prices, weather, and overall health, things could change. On Saturday, we will take a bus for 24 hours to vietnam.

Love,

69, MadDog, and C-otter