Laos- Same Same but Different

Laos has been quite a different experience than Thailand so far.  It's a lot quieter and calmer than I expected.  In a country where the GDP per capita is less than $1000US, I can see how people here live quite a simple life.  This has been a peaceful leg of my trip as there isn't much to do but a lot to see.  The vast landscape is mainly untouched and just beautiful to see.  I've made it to Vang Vieng which is in the southern part of Laos.  It was about a 6 hour bus trip through the countryside to reach this place.  There is not much to do here although it is known as a backpacker's mecca.  There's quite a few bars to spend time in the evening.  During the day, you can do a number of adventure sports such as moutain biking, caving, kayaking, and "tubing" which consists of floating down the river on a tube stopping at bars for a drink as you continue to float.  I don't think I've ever seen so much untouched nature with thousands of trees all over the mountain ranges while traveling here.  The weather is still quite warm in this region.  It's late in the evening and I find myself walking around in shorts and a T-shirt.  I'll be in Laos a couple of more days before I take a flight into Cambodia.  So far, this trip has not disappointed.