Sometimes you have to go off the beaten path to find paradise. Laos’ Vang Vieng has become legendary (particularly among backpackers) as a tourist trap for river tubing and over-the-top partying. But not far away lies the sleepy village of Muang Ngoi, which is tucked into the mountains along the Nam Ou River. For us, it was a tranquil slice of heaven. There’s very little electricity here, no WiFi/phone access, and accommodations are sparse and basic. At first glance there seems to be nothing to do other than walk down the village’s dusty road past clusters of rickety wooden