Those foolish Kuang Si waterfalls..

Last weekend the other two interns (David and Hang) and I went on an adventure to the Kuang Si waterfalls. The trip started out with a 40-minute 'Touk Touk' ride to the falls in which we got to see some of the countryside.  A ‘Touk Touk’ is basically a Lao-style motorcycle-cab that offer rides around the city for pretty cheap. From where I stand now, after taking a 40-minute ride to the falls and another returning home, I’m fairly certain that Touk Touk's were not designed for people of western stature, but rather for those under, say… the 5’4” mark (Mom, you’d fit right in).  We shared the ride with a German traveler we met just before named Marcus. Marcus was probably 6’2”, and David and I are probably 6’0” (or at least that’s what I tell people) so, needless to say, we were all struggling to endure the bumpy dirt roads crouched down on the wood benches in the back. I’m probably overreacting but it felt like riding in one of those little red wagons...

The infamous Touk Touk...

I feel like such a complainer writing this right now… In reality, it wasn’t that bad.

Despite our cramped quarters, we made it to the falls just fine and the ride was actually really nice. I loved seeing the countryside just outside of the city. I’m already realizing that Laos is a very diverse country. Depending on which direction you head out of Luang Prabang, you’re going to get different scenery and different plants and trees.

Laos Countryside

On the Road

It was a brief hike from the parking lot to the falls. Along the way there were various vibrant blue pools just begging you to take a swim. I have to say it was more beautiful than I could’ve imagined. It seemed like a scene out of Disney Land. It was too picturesque to be true. 

Such a pretty part of the world!

We left the main area because it was a bit too crowded and hiked to the top of the falls. Once we saw the top we decided to branch off and explore a different direction. 

To the top of the falls

Off the main hiking trail

Marcus was with us and it was nice to chat with him and share the experience. We were talking about different countries’ iconic foods and one thing he asked us that sort of stumped me was if America has any ‘sophisticated dishes’ that are truly American… I had to think about it for a while. When I think of ‘American food’ I think of hamburgers and BBQ and maybe Jambalaya in the South. But none of those dishes are really ‘sophisticated’ like, say, many French or Italian dishes.  The best I could come up with was really high-end seafood dishes, but again, I’m not sure how truly American they would be. Any thoughts?

Dave and Marcus leading the pack

Any who… we hiked to a cool little pond area and were the only ones in the area. We hung out a bit and ate some lunch then headed back to the main waterfall area.  There was a great pool for swimming with a rope swing area and a little waterfall to jump off of.

The Pond.

The rope swing pool.

After debating whether or not to partake I finally gave in and jumped off the fall. I’m glad I did.  Hang was actually the first of us to take the plunge. She had a way of making me nervous with the rope swing.. she would wrap the rope around her hand (how are you going to let go?? I’d think to myself) and her release was far from graceful (Hang, if you’re reading this, I apologize for selling you out; but the stress that you infused in my mind makes it impossible for me to forget.) One time she awkwardly released from the rope and entered the water flailing upside-down – successfully horrifying all tourist on-lookers. “I don’t know her.” I thought to myself.

(just kidding, Hang.)

However, I must admit, I had a moment of my own when I tried to do a gainer off the waterfall but didn’t have good enough footing and ended up just doing a half back flip, landing upside-down in the water myself. Real smooooth, Stephen. I knew the footing wasn’t the best but in a moment of braveness I just decided to go for it. Bad idea. My cousin Chris would’ve been ashamed. Oh well. You only live once so you might as well risk looking like a fool every now and then. “Looking ridiculous in front of Chinese tourists is the spice of life.” Isn’t that what they say? No? It isn’t? Hmmm.. Never got that memo.

The jump

In the end it was a really fun trip and I’m so glad we went. Hang and I decided we’re definitely going to go back sometime during our time here. Maybe next time we’ll have a better handle on the whole rope swing/jumping thing and won’t terrify Chinese tourists every time we enter the water...

Or maybe not.

Until next time!

The Kuang Si waterfalls