Stop 18: Beginning of the End in Vang Vieng -- Vang Vieng, Laos

From day one of our travels, we had heard countless stories about the notorious Vang Vieng, the tubing capital of the world. Soon to become our 2nd favorite pastime (you must never discover our first hah), this activity involves hopping from bar to bar via a lively and unpredictable river at the hands of a 12th generation Laotian innertube. The name of the game was drinking, and for the first time on our trip we won every round.  Other than the occasional concussion or blood-drenched knees it was a haven of whisky buckets, giant swings, and all the free bee-infused liquor you could stomach. One blonde Brit apparently couldn’t stomach the amounts he consumed.  His night kicked off with stealing a motorbike, crashing a motorbike, running from the cops, punching a cop, running again, and ended in getting arrested and paying his last Laotian dollars to the authorities through metal bars.  He had lost his money and his dignity.  After two days and too many bad decisions, it was time to hit the road jack on to more sacred and sober places.