The bars all come complete with various deadly contraptions, that clearly do not pass international safety standards, but seem like a good idea at the time.
How many bars you will manage to drift into is hard to say, mainly becuase they keep building new ones and that by the time you have spend a day on the river drifting down the river your are so invaiably smashed that you loose count.
One thing is for sure though, by the time you hit all the bars, you will have perfected your rope swing entry.

The location? Vang Vien – an interesting town in the middle of Laos, nestled by a river and some stunning limestone mountains it is a pretty backpacker hang out. The popularity of the place due mainly to a sport/activity called Tubing. This involves floating down the river for 5km sat in an inner tube from a car tyre, stopping off every hundred metres at these ramshackle bars with huge rope swings, loading up on beer Lao or for the really idiotic doing shots of Lao Lao rice wine. This is probably the most fun you can have with your clothes on in Vang Vien (or not, I was proud to expose my butt to a bar full of about 50 people – mid swing – to a huge applause and a rather shocked bar owner.)
You have to hand it to the people of Laos, – Laosasians, Loawegiens, Lotions…whatever they are called, they sure know how to have a good time. I have no idea if it is because the country has only been open to tourism for the last 10 years (1997) so they have not yet become fed up with tourism, but the people are possible the friendliest nation I have ever come across.

You can go tubing in Laos to your hearts content on our backpacking in Laos Trips.

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One thing I have learned through my Asian travels is to appreciate rice. Well as much as you can anyway, I tend to find rice is possibly the worlds most boring foodstuff (with the exception of rice krispy cakes and rice pudding) surpassed only by maize flour or Ugali as I knew it in Tanzania: A stone like porridge that backs up your intestines for months ending in an excruciating ugali dump just when you have forgotten the whole ordeal of eating it. The Africans swear by it, but as for Asians, Rice is their staple diet. Rice for breakfast, lunch and tea. Rice for starters rice for pudding. You name it they will eat it along with a large portion of rice. The South East Asians have managed to liven up this pretty bland food reasonably successfully with the invention of sticky rice: I do not mean they have enhanced the taste of it, (it still tastes of air) but it is certainly more fun to have at the dinner table, you can stick it to your dinner guests foreheads or roll it up into a ball to hurl at the person in front of you; or my personal favourite sculpt a massive Johnson standing to attention on your plate to annoy the waiter.

The subject of how to make this wonder dish came up in conversation with this rather board looking guy sat in a bamboo hut. He was taking money for a local attraction a huge cave set into the mountains. Clearly Debby and I were the only customers he had had all week and cabin fever was setting in. He decided to enlighten us on how to make sticky rice, now credit where credit is due, his English was a little raw, so he tried his best.
“You take rice and put in bowl. Bowl with water. You go to bed. In morning you get up at 5 or maybe 6 or maybe 9. {Pause) Maybe you get up at 7 or 8 it does not matter.”
Oh good I thought, So we have established that I’m allowed to get up when ever I want.
He then preceded to tell me just how to cook stick rice, but I have to admit I tuned out a bit, as he contineued to instruct us for a good 40 minutes so I can’t really tell you how to cook the stuff. You can make a fine set of boobs out of though.

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Here is what happened.

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I nam so pleased I got to go on the beginner freediving course this time in Thailand, the course run in conjunction with our partners on Koh Tao teaches you how to freedive (diving with one breath of air) safely and teaches you the correct techniques to go down deeper and longer.

The first day was a morning session spent in the class room with our instructor Marc, Marc is Canadian and has been freediving for many years, he was full of eye opening information, especially to someone like my self who has been down to 12 metres quite comfortably before.

Surprising facts like there a 4 parts to your lung that you can use to inflate, and that the capileries (the do the oxygen gas exchange in your lungs) are mostly located in your bottom part of your lung – which is really used when breathing by most people. He Taught me pretty cool breathing techniques and dispelled the myths around hyperventilation (which is actually a really bad thing to do when freediving).

The theory session really helped visualise what we put in to practice on the afternoon session on the boat. every one was split into small groups so the instructor ration to students was 1:2 and then we practiced duck diving techniques – emphasising breaking the surface with minimal energy exerted.

My first attempt got me to 5 metres or so – I had equalisation problems, but then after about an hour I was hitting the bottom of the rope, a massive 20 metres below the surface of the water!

These guys really know there stuff, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. So if you are planning a Thailand Gap Year, spending it freediving in Koh Tao is not a bad option.

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Although you would think that France is a popular tourist destination because of the architecture, cuisine culture, history and the wines, you might be surprised to find out that France appeals to surfers.  It is a popular surfing destination because of being bordered by three different bodies of water – the Bay of Biscay, the English Channel, and the Mediterranean Sea.  No matter what coastal community you choose to visit for your surfing vacation, there are numerous French hotels to take advantage of and plenty of deals are currently available online.

Suffice it to say, surfing in France is often overlooked for so many other locations in the world.  However, it could eventually be considered as a must-experience vacation because of the hollow green waves and pristine, sandy beaches that characterize the majority of the different French coastlines.  The northern coastline tends to be quieter than the Mediterranean coastline because the more popular cities such as Marseilles and Nice are located on the southern coast.

History of surfing in the area

Although surfing had its origins in the South Pacific (Polynesia), there are those individuals who believe that the history of surfing began in Europe.  Surfing showed up in France at the end of 1800’s as a result of inventing a bold, innovative water game.  A group of ingenious foresters known as résiniers who worked the forests along the Atlantic coastline notice that planks from the sides of ships had washed ashore after they had encountered bad weather off the French coast.  The architect and engineer, Adrien Durupt, is given credit as being the first true surfer in Europe.

Popular surfing sites

Although there are numerous coastal areas in France that appeal to surfers, there are three areas that are the most popular because of their long, sandy beaches and their quality of waves.  Regardless, no matter which one of the following areas you choose to do your surfing at, you will never be disappointed and will return home with some great memories of your adventures.

Aquitaine – long recognized as the surfing Mecca of southwestern France, this is one of the best areas for surfing.  Biarritz, Hossegor, and Lacanau are the more popular areas.  Additonally and moving to the southeastern coastline, the city of Nice is quite popular.  Many of the cheap Nice hotels will have information on where the best surfing in the area can be found.

Brittany – situated along the Bay of Biscay, surfers find this area appealing because of how the Atlantic Ocean offers some exciting waves.  La Guidel and La Torche are the prime surfing areas as the former features excellent breaks because of the coral reefs and the latter is considered the Breton headquarters of surfing.

Western Loire – with its 450 km (280 mi.) of coastline, the beaches and dunes seem endless while they are separated from the inland areas by thick stands of pine woodlands.  Although the area is not as famous as its southern counterpart, areas such as Les Dunes, La Sauzaie, and Sauveterre should not be overlooked for some great surfing experiences.

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For many international travellers, Thailand has become a very popular tourist destination, especially the city of Bangkok.  If you search online, you will find that most of the airlines are currently offering a number of cheap flights to Bangkok, so finding one to facilitate your needs should not be difficult.  However, despite the many attractions, the cuisine, the numerous events or festivals, and other sightseeing venues in the country, scuba diving is becoming one of the most popular activities in Thailand.

Popular dive sites

It stands to reason that this watersport is so popular since Thailand is bordered on the east by the Gulf of Thailand and on the west by the Andaman Sea.  The following are several of the more popular dive sites to experience and the times of the year that you can dive there whenever you are vacationing in Thailand:

Ko Chang – November through June
Ko Samui – March through October
Koh Lanta – November through April
Pattaya – year round
Phuket – November through April

By far the most popular place to dive in Thailand in Koh Tao. Where many people train for a Koh Tao Divemaster course.

By far, Thailand is Southeast Asia’s most targeted destination for diving with some world-class venues to take advantage of.  Additionally, diving classes are available for the novice so you can learn how to scuba dive and then enjoy the activity while on vacation there.  Thousands of individuals take these classes when visiting the country so don’t be surprised if the one you enroll in is somewhat crowded.  One way or the other, this is an experience that will provide you with a lifetime of memories.

Things you can see – sea life, shipwrecks, etc.

If there is one thing you can be certain of, Thailand has an unlimited supply of things to see and do.  This is especially true where different aspects of sea life are concerned.  Where the many different types of marine life are concerned, you will find an abundance of species whether you are diving in the Andaman Sea or the Gulf of Thailand.  Here are several of the more common species that live in these two bodies of water that you will witness whenever you are diving in either or them:

- Batfish            - Christmas Tree Worms
- Clown Trigger Fish         - Giant Grouper
- Hawksbill Turtle        - Hermit Crab
- Jellyfish            - Lionfish
- Porcupine Fish        - Scorpion Fish
- Sea Snakes (banded)        - Whale Sharks

Another interesting aspect of the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand are some of the shipwrecks that have occurred in both.  Many of these can still be seen intact since the time that they sunk:

King Cruiser – in 1997, this ship in 105 feet of water between Koh Phi Phi and Phuket
Davy Jones – believed to be a fishing trawler that sunk off the coast of Koh Tao in 120 feet of water
USS Lagarto – sunk in 235 feet of water during World War II in the Gulf of Thailand (one of several WWII ships that sunk in the Gulf
Other notables – Prince of Wales and Repulse (British) / Haguro (Japanese)

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Heading to the raintree cafe we drove through the main town Honiare somewhat surprised to see hundreds of people on the streets, “why are there so many people?” asked Debby, our friendly and somewhat gansta looking taxi driver shrugged. “Rush Hour” and we though little of it.

It ws only on arrival at our destination we were informed there was a massive riot going on in town, something to do with a gansta being sentenced and his cronies going mental, stoning shops and looking for trouble. We were advised not to venture out today incase “something happened to us”. Feeling safe already.

So we then figured we would cool off and go for a swim just out side the guest house (it overlooks iron bottom sound and is blessed with a pretty stunning view).
With in 10 metres of the shore I swam over 4 unexploded ww2 bombs (this place was the centre of a huge battle between the Japanese and US in 1942, the legacy from which is left all over the island both above and below the sea). Gap year destination, this may not be, but an adventure it certainly is. I can´t wait for tomorrow when I get myself down to some serious wreck diving.

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Monday

Woke up in the morning and jumped out of a plane at 15,000ft. This was surprisingly one of the most sensible things I did this week.

Tuesday.

Visited the home of bungy, the Kawarau bridge in Queenstown, where bungee all began back in 1988.

Wednesday

Ripped through shot over canyon on a 1000 horse power jetboat.

Thursday.

Probably the most insane day in my life. experiencing the chair of death at the shotover canyon swing. The worlds Highest cliff jump. I have to say hats off to the guys there. The are quite the double act.

You can check it out here:

Then both directors of Xtreme were in for it. Jump masters choice. “Gimp boy goes to hollywood.”

If that wasn´t enough, in the afternoon we had to take on the Australasia´s highest bungee jump andBiggest swing courtest of AJ Hacket.  Now that was Scary.

Friday

Well At least on friday we could relax again, by doing our second 15,000 ft Skydive at Nzone.

The things we do to make sure you guys have the best time on your New Zealand Gap Year eh?

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Oh yes.  A 1000 horse power jet boat. guzzling 3 litres of fuel a minute, this baby will go to 80 miles an hour in just 10 centimetres of water.

The Shot over canyon in New Zealand is one of New Zealands top adrenaline attractions so naturally we had to check it out for any prospective new Zealand gap year takers out there. Fortunately for you, this will be included in the up coming new zealand adrenaline tour – watch out for our new site and exciting programmes in january.

You have been warned.

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