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Heading for the Hill tribes.
Saturday morning we are up early like true intrepid explorers. We have a lovely guide and a Canadian called Gen joining us. The journey out of civilisation takes one and a half hours by open back truck, through small dusty villages. At the start of the hike we cross a river in a very basic wooden canoe - a good test of our balancing skills. It is already hot by the time we start walking uphill. It is pretty arduous carrying our bags and the video camera but undaunted we walk for 4 hours - onwards and upwards! We stop at a Mhong village called Ban Long Gem about 4pm, very sweaty and tired. About 50 families live here, in bamboo and timber huts. There is no electricity or toilets of any kind but there is a village tap with clean water. We have a guided tour to learn how the people live and return to our hut to relax. We are the source of curiosity for the children, who don't see many visitors. To break the ice we use a stone to scratch games into the ground. Hopscotch is a real hit and draws parents closer to watch and laugh with us all. A hearty meal of sticky rice and beef soup is cooked by Ying (our guide). It is dark by 7pm so we find ourselves heading for bed, a very uncomfortable thin mat on bamboo floor.
Sunday morning we are already walking by 8.30am as we have 2 mountains to conquer today. It is amazing, we only see a few people working in the fields and pass through a Khmu village called Ban Long Yock, where lots of villagers want us to photograph them and see the images. Of course we will send back prints for them. More walking with plenty of motivational Tally Ho - here we go! From guess who? The area is totally isolated and we don't see anyone, let alone tourists. It is really hard going through the heat and jungle, it's like being on fat camp. After 6 hours of trekking we reach Ban Kala Kong a village of both Mhong and Khmu people. It's more like two separate villages; we are staying in the less spacious Khmu part, where houses are built on two levels with the living area upstairs. It is pretty rickety and wobbly and the whole building shakes when someone walks across the floor. We are sharing the one room with the family but have our own space consisting of 3 sleeping mats under one shared mosquito net. Very cozy! We are right in the middle of the village so feel a bit like the travelling circus.
Monday we have a 4 hour hike over two mountains - Tally Ho! We think we are getting fitter but it might be that it cloudy so the sun isn't quite as searing. It's definitely like being on a fat camp though! We really struggle down the really steep second mountain, my little legs are wobbling like jelly. We have walked 38 Km round in a big loop so finish at the river where we have a well deserved swim before a very dusty long drive back to Luang Prabang. We have had a really memorable time, we loved it even if it nearly killed us!!
- comments
Orla It sounds most extraordinary! Bet the walk to the beach in Seaham was a beautiful dance in comparison to what you've just done. Can't wait to read more xx
Jo Very intrepid!
Pj Great to have some new of you lovelies. Keep on trucking xx
jeannie Well, I am so impressed. It makes my 4 visits per week to the gym look like a lie-down in a hammock!!
Dawnie Dawn Sounds excellent, and there's me getting a little out of puff walking back from town today after eating a lovely beef roast dinner with all the trimmings...probably best not mention the lovely Sunday roast dinner eh! : ) Keep up the news my lovelies - great to hear from you xxx
Andi Great to hear how its going - keep on blogging! x
Al & Kev Sounds Fab, but when are you back, the shutters need another coat!!!!!
gail wow....sounds like a real adventure - beats anything I've done, can't wait to see the pics - happy birthday Gill xx carry on camping!! x
Josie and ali you'll be fit as fiddles when you return, happy trekking xx
P Blimey! You sound like the type of explorers who wore pith helmets :-) Look forward to hearing more soon, and have a lovely birthday Gilly. BTW, how's the no-smoking going? Pxxx
Phil Rivers It reminds me of that 1980's tv series Tenko.
Caro It is fantastic to hear from you and read your news. The trek sounds gruelling but I would love to give it a try, so am green with envy. You are both going to come back little skinny human beans. Much love and take care of each other. xxxx