Daily Prompt: Journey

As soon as I saw this Daily Prompt I begun tearing through old photographs. I have been on so many journeys in my life: physical, mental, spiritual. I had so many photographs to fit this theme that it was overwhelming, so I decided to narrow it down to one small, yet significant, journey.

These photographs were taken five years ago on my trip through Laos. This was when the party scene was first erupting in Vang Vieng, luckily when I was there the town still held a small amount of its traditional local charm. In an effort to avoid the beer, the backpackers and the endless re-runs of ‘Friends’ playing in every bar, I set off on a journey to find the heart of Vang Vieng. This is how I got there.

 First I had to pay 4000 kip to cross this bridge over the mighty Mekong River. Locals cross for free, but hey, I can part with 54c when its asked of me.

I assume the cattle don’t pay either. This little fella was out for a stroll, unconcerned by the pedestrians, bicycles and moped’s whizzing past him.

I found myself out in the countryside, following the faintest path that  wound through the paddocks. The path was signposted by bits of torn cloth mounted on sticks, you can see one in the distance.

Tiny, abandoned huts littered the paddocks, waiting for the seasons to change and the farmers to move back in. A beautiful setting against the mountains.

I was bound for these cliffs, which apparently had caves, creeks and swimming holes at the base.

Someone had arrived before me.

The bridges from here on in got slightly more rickety, requiring nerves of steel to cross.

I found my creeks and swimming holes, untouched by the commercialism that was slowly creeping into Vang Vieng.

I had this pond to myself…well, almost. A journey to paradise.