Before you start to worry, the hospital visit wasn’t for us. During our home stay in Naduang, Chit, our CEO and tour guide, got involved in a soccer match with others on our tour against the villagers. As he dashed across the field with the ball, his ankle sank into a hidden hole, twisting round. Meanwhile, we were at the main village house, cooling down with Beer Lao. Suddenly, Chit arrived on the back of a scooter, visibly in pain. He hobbled off, and we could see his knee swelling right before our eyes. The bus driver rushed him to the city hospital for an X-ray and crutches. The potential diagnosis: a ruptured tendon in his knee. The next morning, we learned that a new CEO would replace him when we left Laos to leave for Vietnam. Thus, our new tour phrase was born: “Chit Happens.”

The tour bus doors swung open, and we poured into the Sisombat Plaza Hotel, nestled in the heart of Vang Vieng and about 20 minutes from our home stay. The overcast clouds hovered low over the rigid mountains, setting a perfect backdrop for the day’s agenda. Most of us packed into a large tuk tuk and headed to the riverside, where our first adventure awaited: kayaking down the Nam Song River. We envisioned serene, clear waters for a leisurely paddle, but instead, we faced brown water and rushing rapids—quite the adrenaline bundle. After receiving instructions from the four guides, we paired up in kayaks and followed our leader into the first set of rapids. Fate had it that we encountered a hidden rock right away. As Jeff, in the front, took in the sight, our kayak tipped skyward, and we plunged into the river. Jeff held onto the kayak, standing up in the river, while I got swept into a set of large rocks. Clinging to the rock, I waited for our guide to help us back into the kayak – thankfully no injuries for either of us! With our heart rates finally settling, we navigated the rest of the rapids more cautiously and without further incidents.

After a quick break with a Beer Lao, our guide led us into Tham NangFa (Angel Cave). Inside, we marveled at the stalagmites and stalactites, enjoying a short but fascinating adventure before lunch. With full bellies, we boarded another tuk tuk to a more adrenaline-filled cave. This time, we floated into the cave on inner tubes, headlamps revealing bats and very large spiders. Soon, we had to wade through chest-high waters, bear-crawling through clay-covered floors until we emerged from the cave and hopped back into the tuk tuk for our final adrenaline rush.

The Blue Lagoon, more of a jade lagoon, awaited us. Some in our group leaped from a treetop jumping base, adding more thrill to their day, while Jeff and I opted for Beer Lao and snacks under our group’s hut. After much-needed showers and naps back at the hotel, we dined at Gary’s Irish Bar & Restaurant. Despite initial skepticism from the Irish in our group, Gary’s didn’t disappoint. Authentically run by Gary from Ireland, the bar featured a mix of Irish and local Laotian staff. The highlight was finally getting to enjoy a “baby Guinness”—a shot of Kahlua topped with Bailey’s, mimicking a Guinness. After a hearty meal and several baby Guinness shots, we crossed the street to Sakura Bar. The special: two “local vodka” drinks with a free tank top emblazoned with their logo and tagline —Drink Triple, See Double, Act Single. Needless to say, we couldn’t resist the purchase, even with the vodka tasting of paint thinner. After a night of dancing, drenched in sweat and light rain, we returned to the hotel to rest.

The next morning, we journeyed to our final Laos destination: Vientiane, the capital and most developed city we’d seen outside Luang Prabang. Weaving through the bustling streets, we arrived at the COPE Visitor Center—Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise. Laos holds the unfortunate title of the most bombed country per capita. During the Vietnam War, Laos was bombed every eight minutes, 24 hours a day, for nine years. The US aimed to cut off supply lines into Vietnam and support the Laos government against a communist group allied with North Vietnam and the Soviet Union. Today, the country remains littered with unexploded ordnance (UXO), often detonated accidentally or during metal salvaging. Tragically, children are the most frequent victims. The COPE center produces assistive devices for those impacted by UXO. Our visit offered profound insights and perspectives on Laos’ history.

That evening, we enjoyed a final group dinner of local Laos cuisine. The next morning, we met our new CEO, Puna from Thailand, and bid a tearful farewell to Chit as we boarded our flight to Vietnam and he headed home to Myanmar.

Signing off with a Beer Lao in hand, we’re en route to Hanoi, Vietnam via Lao Airlines.

Much Love — Andrew

P.S. – Jeff managed to add a shot glass from the only Hard Rock Café in Laos, located in Vientiane, to his collection. He also discovered that Lao Airlines operates a modest fleet of just 11 aircraft.