Got woken up quit early by the girls (of course!) Had brekkie in Babylon next door and caught up on the internet after about a week of being offline. Doesn't bother me so much, I just dont want my family to worry. Got chatting to a guy from Australia who was looking for a place to stay, he seemed nice so we're gonna share a room, only 25,000 kip each like just over 2 quid.
My group headed off tubing at about 12.30. It was the best thing ever, loads of bars and swings and platforms to jump situated along the river with the gorgeous backdrop of mountains. I paced myself and only had a couple of beers but it was cool because when everyone was wasted at 8pm and wanting to go to bed, I was still in high spirits, and went out with my roomate Nathan and his friend Sam (French women he had met on the bus from the Thailand border - they got the bus rather than the slow boat.)
We ate in a chilled out bar I had a pizza I think the first time I've had one. Struggled to finish it! Even though my appetite is steadily increasing being here. I am being spoilt really I am gonna get so used to eating out it'll be a shock back in England.
I had such a lovely day even thought I was suprised how high and scary the jumps actually were (all helps the adrenaline though) and it struck me again how lacking in health and safety this place is. Apparantly about 2 people a year die from going tubing (the name derives from supposedly floating down the river in inflatable rings from bar to bar but I got advised against it coz other ppl nick em!), but that is probably the combination of drink, drugs and water. The average person isnt in much danger bar a nice red mark if landing badly from the fairly significant heights. They have people manning each jumping or swinging station, and I'm not great with heights (oh the irony!) so I literally had to just go for it each time without looking down, thinkng about it too much is not a good idea! You just have the realise the fear is purely psychological, you won't let go, or drop into shallow water. The initial bit taking off is the most exhilerating because you feel like you're flying, I just have to sort the landing. Fortunately I havnt had too many painful situations but a couple of friends really landed awkwardly and it shook them up a bit and made me a bit nervous too!
We were still doing it as it turned dark. In fact we arrived at a bar which also contained a mud bath (yes!) The only problem getting down the river to the next bar was that the water levels were really really low and as the current was so strong you had to be really careful to not scrape your knees or legs along the bottom of the river. I was surpised how strong the current was even in very shallow water.
On another of the bar swings I attempted a somersault. Well, basically Jacob had given it a go and I couldnt let a guy be the only one to try it...;) This swing didn't have as much momentum as the very first one so I literally had to turn myself upside down manually whilst still hanging by my arms on the swing and then do the half turn while falling. I have no idea what it looked like but my friends said it looked good! I'm sure in an awkward kinda way...! I am determined to try a somersault on the big one at the first bar before I leave - I am just scared about the landing. I'm a strong swimmer but a couple of times I have taken in water and struggled to breathe for a bit - if you let go at the highest point of the swing it is actually a very big drop. So I've just to get over that and try it. I chatted to one guy who thought a somersault was easier than jumping normally so if I see him again I may take a few pointers! It looks impressive anyway but land wrong and youve got a large crowd of witnesses!
The atmosphere was really cool all the bars were pumping out tunes and everyone was just being happy.
I lost some , not a lot though. Basically you have to go with nothing apart from your bikini and some beer money. I just had some notes in a money bag which I put in my bikini cup. The funny thing was I had just set up a bet with some guy who said I wouldn't climb the ladder and jump without hesitating so of course I did - so at least I had a legitimate drink bought for me! It was a really fun day and I may stay a bit longer its nice to be having fun after a few stresses and a lot of traveling over the past few days.
Money spent: Water and orange juice 7,000 breakfast, 20,000 tuk tuks, 10,000 drink, unknown amount lost money when I jumped in from a high platform and it came out of my bikini ;)
Best thing: Tubing was ace!
Worst thing: Nothing really. Lost some money but it was funny.
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