Delicious Street Food In Vang Vieng

While eating street food during travel is often frown upon by many, it is not something that I particularly shy away from. Remembering the day when what are now called “Gourmet Trucks” use to be called “Roach Coaches”, I know that there can be some culinary gems found in eating street food. I discover one such gem in Vang Vieng.

Popular around town are pancake, crepe stands. However, like snowflakes they are not all the same. I am fortunate that I come across one right in front of a huge hotel being constructed in the town.

Unfortunately, these stands are not named, so in Vang Vieng you may have to do some some venturing to find this one or a good one like it. Here the crepes are freshly made and you can have your choice of various combinations including chocolate, peanut butter, banana or even coconut.

My choice, a fat free, no calorie, lemon, honey and sugar. Angelic and delightful :)


Video:http://youtu.be/pBQgK0DDYHA

Riding A Hog In Vang Vieng

Although we had made a loose commitment the night before to rent bicycles, I wake up thinking we would cover more ground faster on a hog. Some quick checking and we discover that this can done for about the same price as renting two bicycles.

For about US$4, we hand over our passports and with a crude map set off to explore the countryside around Vang Vieng with a mandatory first stop at a gas station. The sites we would like to visit are spread out in different directions so we make what we think is a logical plan.

Our first stop is to visit a waterfall about 10km out of town. From there we will then continue on to Elephant Cave then double back to the Blue Lagoon. A busy day by any stretch of the imagination.

Going down a dirt road, through cool villages seeing farmers working rice fields with an awesome landscape in the background, I quickly realize that we have embarked on an impossible mission.

The views and scenery here are too splendid to not take as much time as possible to enjoy. Furthermore, we have not even reached our first destination, Yui Waterfall.


Video:http://youtu.be/dzkU_1GQFWg

Kaeng Nyui Waterfall

After a beautiful ride along a sometimes mountainous gravel road, our hog comes to rest at the entrance of Kaeng Nyui waterfall. After paying a small entrance fee, we begin a hike that I am convinced will not be a disappointment.

At the beginning of the trail we pause for a few moments in an area with different food vendors and decide that on the way back we will stop here for lunch. Above the level of human noise, the relaxing sounds of nearby rushing water reminds me why we are here and we press on.

I am not sure if it rained here earlier in the morning but moisture is lingering in the air and some portions of the path are slippery. In some areas, the vegetation forms a natural canopy and is so dense the morning light struggles to break through. The trees are alive with vivid jungle colors and often a bird or two can be heard chirping in the distance, no doubt hidden among the tree leaves.

The path to Kaeng is filled with many tranquil distractions as there are numerous streams and smaller waterfalls in every direction. There is even a small suspension bridge that adds nicely to the picturesque scenery.

After numerous stops, the sounds and sight of Kaeng Nyui touch my senses. One last set of steps through an area of banana plants and we will be there. The hike has been a little more challenging than expected. However, soon we are standing on a small hill looking down at the base of the waterfall as the descending water crashes into it.

The magnificence of the thundering sound and the splashing spray of the water pulls us in. We cautiously go down a slippery path to get a close up and more splendid view. From the base of the waterfall, I stare up into the heavens. A few hundred feet above me I can see where the water begins it's crashing descent. I imagine this is even more spectacular in the height of the rainy season.

There is an amazing thing about standing here that everyone should at least have an opportunity in life to experience. Nature can sometimes be such an awe-inspiring and wonderful thing.


Video:http://youtu.be/InYGprLK_8o

Small Creatures Unique And Beautiful

In a huge world it is interesting how sometimes we can miss the little things that can be special in their own way. At Kaeng Nyui waterfall, I have a gentle remind of this.

While taking in the scenery, my attention is captured by the little life that goes on almost unnoticed here. A few what looks like long spiked fuzz balls hangs out on a log while another one scurries along the ground.

What I think is a leaf on another nearby log turns out to alive. All creatures unique and beautiful.

Amazing still is when I share my lunch with my aunts and they decide to take some of it to go.


Video:http://youtu.be/6azWiuWKdFI

An Interesting Lunch Menu

Returning from our hike to Kaeng Nyui waterfall, it's time to relax and have some lunch before moving on to our next adventure.

Along another rapidly flowing stream booths are set up with Asian style seating for us to enjoy a meal in the tranquility of the forest. We select one and then head over to see what's cooking. There are no menus to make selections from so what you see is what you get.

We are offered chicken but I opt for a papaya salad that will be freshly made. Along with a couple cans of Beer Lao we should be happy but then I smell rat. Not figuratively but literally I smell and see a group of them being grilled next to the earlier offered chicken. I wonder if they both taste the same.

A group of men working in the forest gather around the grill to make their selections and encourage me to try one. Although I am told the field rats taste better than the city ones, like eating a bug in Bangkok, I think I will save that challenge for the next time I visit Laos.

My papaya salad is delivered and boy does it come with a kick. Made from green papaya, with peanuts and I am told some interesting fish parts, the chili seasoning used on this one sets my hair on fire. This leaves me wishing I had a colder Beer Lao.


Video:http://youtu.be/XAXKg5NBCzM

DMB "I think what you refer to as petrol, in the US we call it natural gas (propane)."

No, what I am referring to as "petrol" is gasoline. Propane gas is gas. As I stated, nearly all Jumbos, tuk tuks and sky labs, (all different forms of motor cycle powered vehicles, just different in size), are petrol drive in Lao. They are not propelled by propane gas. Some are, but not most by a long way.

Vientianeboy,

We are on the same page about petrol. In USA, any reference to "gas" implies gasoline/petrol.

For vehicles that use what you call "gas", we say that it uses "Natural Gas/Propane".

Here, "gas" is more commonly used in buses for public transit systems in places like New York City. Better emissions than petrol or diesel fuels :)

DMB - Loved the rat video. Did Anthony Bourdain eat there?

crosscheck,

I thought I recognized Anthony but I am not sure. The rat was hiding most of his face :(

I belive the caution about ice and street food is simply good advice for avoiding what may and I stress the word may cause some digestion issues for some people. Most people do not want to have to deal with those issues while on vacation and having pepto or immodium is small consolation if the worst happens. As demonstated in this thread there are people who have little or no issues with the local street food- good for them. We all would like to sample the tempting street food but some of us will not risk it. It does not mean that we do not enjoy traveling and experiencing other cultures - it just means we use an abundance of caution in this area.

Great rat video. We saw grilled rat many times in the markets of the far north of Laos but , whilst we tried just about everything else, we just didn't get around to the rat. Maybe next time... Enjoying your posts DMB. Good to get different perspective from the norm.

BillT,

A well thought out response to how we all handle street food and travel choices differently.

At least I don't feel like I have "no common sense and want to have my holiday interrupted" because I choose to have my Beer Lao "On The Rocks" like a local :)

crellston,

I am also saving the rat experience for the next time I visit Laos. However, I think I will go to a rice farming village to have one.

I heard they are much better tasting there. Now, I can't wait :)

BillT,

Looks like "The Beer Summit" will have to be Laos (Thailand is off limit) :(

And since where ever you go there you are, I'll make sure we order a few extra bottles for you :)