An enviable state of mind – Chill sessions on the porch in Vang Vieng

October 9th, 2002 at 12:00am

The days seem to have passed by here very easily, sitting here on the porch of the guesthouse with our view of the river. Still have the same neighbors – Kevin (Australia) and Peter (South Africa). Two days ago we did venture off to the lagoon across the river for the day, first taking a boat taxi across the river, then hiring a tractor tuk-tuk to take us for the 30-minute drive through rice fields and villages to the lagoon in the jungle. A great place to lay on a bamboo mat in the grass in the shade and CHILL. I decided to walk back from the lagoon instead of take the tractor. It was a magical walk back through the fields with the setting sun behind me, with the birds singing in the trees and sounds of local children playing. That was a great day.

Yesterday I was going to rent a kayak or an inner tube to float down the river or go to a cave or have a walk, but I never seemed to make it off the porch. I had started a new book and was quite happy to spend the day reading and chatting with my neighbors. It doesn’t really sound like much, but it was one of those relaxing days full of laughs that I like to think of as a great traveling moment.

‘Wimps lick, men burn. You should take pride in everything you do from wiping your bum to building a house.’

‘I really should get a diary so I don’t miss any appointments today. 8-10, f-all. 10-12, maybe something. Afternoon, hmm, I dunno. Evening, f-all again.’

‘You should go faster.’ ‘Why?’ ‘Because it’s red and got a number on the front.’

‘If I loved the world half as much as I loved me I would never have an enemy.’

Today (this morning) I am here on the porch again and enjoying the (cooler) temperature, blue sky, bright sun, and ever-always perfect view. Winston and Peter have rented motorbikes to drive up towards Luang Prabang and back for the day. Kevin’s in his hammock, and I’m sitting here on the bench. We’re talking about eating healthy breakfasts (chips, aka French fries, on bread) and what being ‘happy’ actually means.

‘See, I’m having a vegetable for breakfast – potato – that MUST prove that I’m health-conscious.’ – Kevin

We’re also discussing the Scots and their incredibly unhealthy diet and how they deep-fry pizzas and even Mars bars.

I may actually venture out later today and go for a walk or go back to the lagoon. We’ll see…

This one could be called Images of Asia

The lagoon swimming hole

Walking back to the guesthouse through the rice fields

Entry Filed under: Laos,Vang Vieng