We did it. We went "In the Tubing" in Vang Vieng, Laos. But we didn't get the t-shirt to prove it. We also didn't get wasted, didn't act like poor role models for all the Lao children working along the river to make money to help feed their families, didn't loose any of our belongings along the way, didn't pollute the river, didn't spend all our money at the multitude of bars along the way, and actually made it back just in time for the 6pm return policy.
We were so hesitant to even go to Vang Vieng, given the reputation that the tubing experience has. You can read my friend Will's blog post on his experience to get an idea of what I'm talking about: http://goodwilljohnson.blogspot.com/2010/06/vang-vien.html
Tubing itself was actually kind of lame. In total it lasted only about 30 minutes, when it's advertised as taking 1 to 2 hours. Maybe this had to do with the fact that it's the rainy season and the current seemed to be quite strong.
Lonely Planet blatently states that it's a stupid idea to go tubing while intoxicated, though we were shocked to notice a sign posted at the Q-Bar that politely asks visitors to 'have a few drinks' before using their rope-swing to enter the river.
We heard a rumour that someone had died the other day...
On the plus side, the area is very beautiful with huge limestone karsts lining the river.
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Travel tip of the day:
Try to have an awareness of how your actions affect the community that you're visiting. Responsible travel is honorable.
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