Monday 2nd March - Lunag Prabang day 2 caves and waterfalls

Monday 2nd March - Luang Prabang day 2

Jacob woke us up at 9am and after persuading some of the guys to get up (Sienna came and jumped on Bas and Davids bed blaring music which they so did not apreciate!) had a lovely american breakfast for 2 quid which included orange juice and coffee which was a real treat. 8 of us (Jonathan wouldnt get his arse outta bed!) chartered a tuk tuk for 50,000 (4 quid) each to take us to the whiskey village, Pak Ou Cave and Waterfalls. It was quite a frustrating experience at the caves because a) they were crap b) they took us ages to get to c) they were in the complete opposite direction to the waterfall which is where I really wanted to be going, and d) because when we arrived at the village we had to fork out more money to get a boat to the caves. 'Just' a pound here and there but I am over budget and it annoys me. Everything is a scam here, he obviously wanted to put buisness his friends way because we could have driven the tuk tuk opposite the caves and got a cheap crossing over the river but no we had to get a boat each way from the village which was a bit naughty because we thought for the 50,000 we would be taken to all three places without any extra expense. When we came out of the caves which were just a couple of holes with shed loads of buddha images, our boat man was nowhere to be found, he had obviously picked up another fare which meant we would be waiting up to an hour or more for him to return (it took us 30 mins to get here by boat.) I was really frustrated because the caves were supposed to be a quick thing before the waterfalls (I know I should get used to laos time but we're leaving tomorrow!) so to cut a looooong story short we arrived at the waterfall as most people were leaving (it took 2 hours to get there from the caves, and the guys stopped to grab some food too all things taking time away from waterfall time!). They were absolutely stunning and I can only imagine how wonderful it would have been to actually been there for the best part of the day chilling out and swimming, jumping off the ledge and swinging out on the rock swing. I bumped into a guy who remembered me from around the camp fire in Pai. We had a fantastic time for the hour or so that we were there. You wernt supposed to swim where the actual large waterfall was (the swimming areas were lower down where the swimming pools formed with more gently undulating water.) But this was the best bit by far, probably even more so knowing we shouldn'y, and it was a right laugh. If you're reading this, and ever come to Luang Prabang, skip the crap caves and go to the waterfall.

On the way home another scam - we went via the bus station to find out times for tomorrows trip to Vang Vien and were told the local bus was 'broken' but our tuk tuk driver actually told us they tell us that to tourists to make us get the VIP bus which I suspected anyway. Laos is actually more expensive than Thailand and I am just not enjoying it in the same way because nothing is simple, nothing is straightforward and everyone is out to get what they can out of you and there's absolutely nothing anyone can to about it because its like blackmail you are often left with no choice. For example, where out boat driver was not waiting for us as he said he would be, we had to pay again to cross the river to get another boat back to the whiskey village. A couple who had chartered a boat for their personal use were happy us jumping on and dropping us off at the whiskey village but the driver wanted 10,000 out of us each or he wouldn't drive the couple round anymore. Its really hard I know the locals arn't rich but neither are we and I cant stand dishonesty. I find Laos really hard because you are basiccaly being scammed all the time. I find myself craving for the relative familiarity of Thailand and wonder what I should do for the rest of my trip. I am going over budget every bloody day because of the unexpected 'extra's' which does my head in - and my accomodation is expensive too. Ok Carla its all relative, your still paying under a fiver! I am looking forward to Vang Viang but if this continues I will plan to spend my last 2 weeks in Thailand (all the land crossing visa will allow unless I get a cheap flight) and chill out in thai beeches and maybe go to Karachin which people have raved about. I have yet to experience true Laos unless its just a load of dishonest blags and scams which I have already witnessed abundantly. At least I'm with a good bunch of people and get on well with my room mates the dutch guys Bas and David which are really decent. Some of the others can be a bit irritating at times (mainly when drunk and loud which in Laos really sticks out like a sore thumb), and also are more into the party / drugs scene which sets me apart a bit but its OK its not a big issue. Can't wait to leave this place even though I do grudgingly admit it has a certain charm, espeicaly the colourful night market. Wonder what the girls experience has been like. Havn't been able to access wireless yet. Should I have not left Thailand?

I went for a little walk by myself and ate by the river as everyone else wanted to eat in the curry place from yesterday. I actually had a Laos style chicken curry which was absolutely delicious and I think I just needed some space. Nutella pancake was also the answer to my dreams as I have craved chocolate since I got to South East Asia! Laos is so far not at all what I expected - I have heard such great things about it - but to be fair all I've really done is travel here on a boat and been in one town. I've got to give it a chance. Im really weird when Im alone I want company and then when I have it it starts doing my head in. Anyway, I found some of the others on the way back and wandered back and packed and watched MTV. These rooms are really very nice indeed in fact they're seperate little bugalows with dark teak decor, very tastefully done. I'm in the room alone at the moment which is also nice as I realise I havnt really had any chill time - I'm out all day then out all eve if I was like that at home I'd be pretty exhausted.
I am considering what to do next. Basically, should I take my time more and see Laos in depth and perhaps Cambodia or should I keep moving and see Vietnam too (have heard mixed things about it and would likely be a lone female which may be an issue?) My thoughts have also turned to India if they do let me delay the 2nd leg of my flight and whether I could do some sort of voluntary work there rather than here - I dont really feel a connection with Laos like I did with Thailand. But apparantly the poverty in India is heartbreaking.

Money spent: Water 5000 (40p), orange juice (40p) 5000, Taxi 50,000 (4 Pounds) Admission caves 20,000 (1.60) food breakfast 25,000 (2 pounds), lunch 8,000 (64 p), boats 20,000 (1.60), waterfalls 20,000 (1.60) bus ticket tomorrow 60,000 (4.80). coke 5000 (40p), little beer beer 8000 (64p) 25,000 Laos style chicken curry (2 pounds), 5,000 nutella pancake (40p) TOTAL 20.48

Best thing: The waterfalls, especially swimming under it even though we wern't supposed to ;) = and nutella pancake!
Worst thing: The bloody caves, Laos scams at every bloody turn which are doing my nut in.