Vang Vieng, a town situated in the middle of nowhere in the amazing Laos country side, yet when I googled it the first thing that came up was the number of inner-tubing deaths for the month. Websites and travel books all say the same thing, its a backpackers paradise full of “high” pizza (advertised on the menu as “Bob Marley” pizza-hehe), drunk tubing, and restaurants that you choose by what sitcom is playing-Friends or Family Guy.
the “friends restaurant”
After sifting through much of the bad rap, I came to the conclusion that this town would actually be perfect for a couple of young boys. Super cheap western food, motorobiking dirt roads, and a river with endless possibilities for fun.
lots of happy backpackers relaxing and waiting out the monstrous rain storm
It has been our favorite travel spot so far. It is so much more than pizza and beer. This is one of the most beautiful places we have ever been and after being here over 2 weeks, we still have so much to see! We keep extending our stay, just one more day…
We have found our favorite restaurant and we go there when it is too rainy for street food, we call it the “friends restaurant”. We chose it by the endless re-runs of Friends seasons and its dependable good food. It cost us about 75,000 kip when we eat there-that is about $9. That includes 2 meals, 1 appetizer, 4 bottled cokes and tip.
my favorite server because he always remembers to bring me a cup of ice and a straw too!
The tables are low like most restaurants in town with pillows and cushions to relax on while you eat and watch the show. We take our shoes off, climb in and lounge in a room full of other loungers. We stay for hours! It is so relaxing. It is monsoon season here, so most afternoons, after a morning outing to explore, we find ourselves at the “friends restaurant”. The boys bring the Kindle fires and Jarrett and I laugh and laugh at the Friends reruns, we missed watching it in our younger days, so it has been fun to watch it together.
why am I smiling besides the yummy chicken and relaxing with the fam?
it was my lucky day! we went during the Brad Pitt episode! there was lots of cheering when he came on the screen, oh wait, that was just me
one of the tvs in the corners had on cartoons! I laughed so hard when I saw this picture, I did not realize when I took it what Conner was doing! who needs nail clippers anyways?
Peyton’s cute doodle on the Kindle Fire, it is Mario
I’m gonna miss this town, we plan to leave for Thailand in 3 days…maybe 4
Just think of it as a break not a goodbye! that is what I had to tell myself. I will be back and it sounds like you will be too:)
i know, i cried a little tear as we pulled out:(
Love it! I could be happy watching Friends reruns for hours!
haha, oh we did! you would have loved it:)
Bwaaahaaahaaaa! Connor!!! Hilarious – and very practical. Thanks for the great Monday morning wake-up, Connor!
oh conner….he gives us many a laugh too:)
This is great! Ryan and I would eat there every night for dinner just to get our Friends fix. W own every season, and the episodes never get old! ESPECIALLY that one with Mr. Pitt.
i know, we are totally hooked now!
That looks like so much fun just relaxing and watching Brad Pitt, hehe!
oh Brad…..
Now that is what I call a fantastic way to Live! Watching the TV, eating yummy food (and not toe nails!!), chilling out and being together! Sounds so very nice!
it was very dreamy, i really enjoy those times together, and yes i agree sans toenails:)
how fun!! I would stay longer too! I laughed so hard at Conner! I caught Preston doing the same thing at Texas Road House last night, his feet were particularly dirty this day too;) Tell Peyton his Mario was soo cool and looked just like him:) love and miss you!
PS. you are soo beautiful Chelsea! I have the most beautiful sister in the world thats for sure.
first of all thanks for your sweet compliment, i think the same thing about you. second, its a wonder our boys don’t have some funky disease-geez!!!! its never a good idea to chew on your dirty toes. i told peyton you thought his mario was cool. love you
So much fun – I love how you aren’t afraid to try something new. You’re such an adventuresome bunch:) Conner and the toenail biting cracked me up! Let Peyton know I thought his Mario doodle was great! Keep having fun – love and miss all of you!
thanks mama that is so sweet that you think that about us-xoxo
Wow! Who would have thought Laos would be so cool? I hope your last couple of days there are wonderful.
I know!? I had never really even heard of Laos a few months ago, now i want to live there! it is a very special place
Enjoy your last 3 or 4 days in that beautiful country. I agree with Conner…who needs nail clippers? I would love the Friends Restaurant, too since that’s one of my favorite sitcoms! (also because I could be barefoot)!
oh you would have loved it!!