Leeches, Mud, Bamboo Rafts.....

Hello, here's another post for today, bringing the total to three! I was planning to do this much later on, but since the second fierce rainstorm for today is in full swing, I might as well keep busy on the blog. I've chosen a couple of photos from our recent three-day trekking in the Nam Ha NP in Northern Laos. We were lucky enough to do the trip with three other great people - Alex and Tanya (an Irish lass) from Woolongong, and Sophie from Scotland. Had we had any whingers on the trip, it would have been almost unbearable since the accommodation was rustic, and the mud and leeches were incessant.

On the second day we had a little hiccup when the bamboo raft which we were supposed to use to cross the river was swept away downstream towards the rapids, with the two guides, Pete, Alex and Tanya on board. Luckily they jumped onto an island (well, more of a protruding log) and then begun the tricky task of being rescued. The first two photos show Peter and Tanya on the bamboo raft, this time crossing the river safely, complete with 'safety' vine; and our two guides guiding the raft safely to the other side of the river.




After the unpleasant experience of the bamboo raft river crossing, the fun wasn't over. There was more mud and even more leeches to come. Here's our bloody, wrinkled feet at the end of day 2. Pete's are the worst-affected by far.



And finally, at the end of the trip, here's us all stinky and happy (l-r Jai, Sophie, Alex, Tanya, Jacquelnie, Peter and Manoi (sp?)). It took us about two hours to clean our things back at the guesthouse in Nam Tha! And boy was that shower good!


Now that's really it for today. I'm off to watch the rain with a BeerLao. xox