Hi All!!

Wow, what a busy few days we have had! Here goes with the action packed stories...
Luang Nam Tha - Kayaking: We signed up to a 2 day kayaking trip (originally just only the two of us were going but on the day there were 8 people so the price was reduced!! Jonny was well chuffed, being the tight northerner that he is! We paid 25 pounds each- 2 days kayaking, food, accomodation) The kayaks were designed for 2 people so me and jonny were together. Kitted out with life jackets, helmets and paddles we set off!

We leisurely cruised down the Nam Tha River, following our guides, over the rapids and through the 'tropical' like landscape. After a few struggles with the paddling, namely on my part, we got the hang of it. Although, once we went into a tree and some spiders joined us in the boat! Ahh! The rapids were fun and filled up our kayak very 'rapidly' with copious amounts of river water! Jonny mastered a technique of scooping out water by standing on the back of the raft and splashing his arms about! After going over numerous rapids, we stopped for lunch on a pebbled beach. The food was laid out on a banana leaf constructed as the table! We had sticky rice, vegetables, omlette and fish which was delicious. On the way down river we could stop and swim, which was welcoming as the sun was blazing hot.

We stopped off at a few local villages en route to our homestay. The first village we were at gave us the opportunity to talk to the village leader. We were able to ask him questions about his role, life and the village itself. There were farm animals roaming around, children playing and adults working. The children were very much fascinated by us westerners. It really was great to see a native village - despite it being desperately poor the people were happy.

Enroute to our night's accommodation, Jonny decided to have a pee. Unsurprisingly, this is quite hard on to do whilst on a kayak and consequently jonny fell in! It was absolutely hilarious! When we arrived at the local village we got changed out of our dripping wet clothes and relaxed a little. Our tea was 'fresh' as the duck and chicken were killed there and then! We had a mini feast of food which was tasty apart from the very spicy stuff which jonny seemed to have loaded on to his plate! I, cleverly avoided it! We had the privilege of eating with the village leader, which was great and then suddenly turned into a round of drinking games!! Tradition in the village is for every guest to share 'Lao Lao' with the leader. Lao Lao is the local home brew which was a mix between vodka and whisky! We ended up having 5/6 shots each! The stuff is lethal! Was great fun though! Brought back memories of Jesters - we should have taught the villagers 'i have never..' or 'ping pang pong' haha!!

The next day we continued down stream over more rapids where jonny unfortunately fell out. I think i was more scared as i was floating off on my own! the rapids were not dangerous or all that big, just a bit fast! Jonny was fine! We had the chance to swim again, which i chose not to, but jonny being jonny pulled me in! We both loved the kayaking, and i may even take it up as a hobby! Although, my arm muscles need to be enhanced or perhaps created!!

On the way back to Luang Nam Tha, we stopped off at a village where a festival was going on. Even the young monks of the village were tipsy (see video if can upload), as everyone was drinking! We joined in with the dancing (see video if we can upload) and the drinking of yet more Lao Lao! It really was great fun to join in with the local celebrations! Our guide was well into the party and started dj-ing and playing the keyboard! Everyone in the village was having fun- even the 'rude' belgians who were part of our kayaking group! We met a nice american guy called Chris who we got on well with and so had dinner with him that evening.
The Kayaking was brilliant! Jonny and I loved it.

Next update will have all our stories from 'The Gibbon Experience' ...
Love Jonny and Kirsty x x x