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Rightho so I guess it's up to me to follow Flo's mahoosive update about 1 single (but very memorable) day. Unfortunately I am nowhere near as gifted as Flo at writing witty and descriptive pieces so, if you're still reading despite the rambling, I apologise as this will only be a simple piece. Anyhow, moving on....
We were woken by a rooster who was extremely keen to do his job properly ie, he was very irritating as he didn't stop cockle dooing for ages. Job done, I was very awake! Despite this minor inconvenience we had a surprisingly good nights sleep I would say but weren't exactly 'fresh as a daisy' the next morning thanks to our slightly aching muscles. Breakfast was toast, omelette and tea- Flo and I have developed a slight love of Lipton tea. I thought my tea obsession would disappear in the heat, how wrong I was.
Clearly I'm stuck with it for life. We set off for an easier walk soon after having said goodbye to our lovely hosts and after an hour or so we finally caught sight of the river. Even though it was only 9am it was still boiling and we were ready for a nice cool off in the kayaks. A short motorboat (!) with our, correction MY, knees by our ears we were across the river and kitted out in our best attire (massive life jackets and unnecessary helmets- safety first!) and ready for some arm pumping exercise. Thankfully after 15 minutes we reached the elephant village and so weren't too tired. Out guide then announced it was lunchtime, at 10:30. 10:30. Sorry but that's a little early for anyone (even you Imogen Thackrah!). But he was being serious so we consumed yet more rice with vegetables and bananas (I've chosen the wrong fruit to hate) and watermelon. Finally we were ready to hop on the elephants, by hop I mean clamber ungracefully. We started off in those chair things on the elephants back with a guide on his neck but soon enough Flo was on his neck for an uncomfortable yet amusing period followed by me. I managed to choose the longer, slightly more precarious period on his neck, and whilst our guide was having a great time snapping 50 odd photos of us and the elephant, I was hanging on for dear life. At one stage the elephant decided to stop and eat some bamboo so I was left with Flo hanging onto me and me hanging onto the chair in the hope that the elephant wouldn't drop his neck completely. I survived that excitement. Next he went for a drink and somehow or other I got slightly wet as he sprayed water at me. It was only our elephant who did this and you know I'm really not complaining. 1. It was hot, 2. I was already wet from kayaking 3. It was highly amusing. We've decided to go back to see the elephants later on in our time so that we can go bathing with them after a series of recommendations. Woooo :)
Anyhow, having left the elephants (they were so cuuuute) we headed back to the water for our 2 hour kayak back towards town. By now we were into the midday sun and were thankful to be on the water and not trekking up hills. Our arms had a nice work out but we weren't too shabby at kayaking. I wouldn't say we were particularly speedy but there are no major incidents to report on...sorry!! Before we knew it we were back on dry land ready for our truck drive along the bumpy roads back into town and on our way to our hostel and a much needed shower. We were literally so muddy and needed a proper shower. Thankfully a shower was not far away and before we knew it we were heading back into town for a late lunch. Time flew by and we were at the night market, bartering for lower prices on everything from trousers to duvet and cushion covers as well as managing some crepes. The night market is awesome here, there's so much stuff and I think I may have gone a little overboard in Hanoi just because we had so much time there. We've discovered that when you ask how much and they type it on your calculator all you have to do is pause and look at each other and they'll drop the price by 2/3 dollars. Before you know it you've got it to basically half price of the original. I would consider ourselves truly gifted but then again I would say that!
Currently I'm lying in bed in the dorm easing my aching muscles and trying to decide whether I can be bothered to go to the loo- it's in the basement and we're on floor 2. Man am I going to hurt tomorrow, but it has most definitely been worth it. The trek was amazing and we think that Laos is the most beautiful place we've been yet. There's a quaint feel to Luang Prabang but that's for another day. For now I feel we shall sleep like a log tonight...
Tess and Flo xx
- comments
Matthew Elliott Hi girls, really enjoyed the last two blogs. If you are stuck for something to eat why not try the rice? In the Uk we've all discovered we've been eating horse so why not try elephant? PS - Flo, your mother wants me to delete that comment as she loves elephants (I do too but only with chips). ML to you both, Dad/Matthew
YKW Awwww little elephants!!! Well I suppose actually not so little ha ha