GibbonX & the Tree House Party
Trip Start
Apr 14, 2008
1
8
85
Trip End
Nov 11, 2008
Huay Xai,
Lao Peoples Dem Rep
Thursday, May 15, 2008
12/5/08
Deep in the Bokeo Jungle a Hmong Village resides. Around this area Gibbon were discovered (thought to be extinct)by a French explorer in 1997. He worked with the tribe and Laos government to create this wonderful eco-tourism adventure. Trekking, waterfalls, ziplines, nature - what more can you ask for. Oh yes, a good crowd to enjoy it with and yes we had that!
Our 1st evening meal together consisted of 4 dishes; fennel beef and 3 vegetable platers. And of course rice! Following this we created out own game of Pictionary and Charades, boys vs girls. We all had a great time. Adam and Jen bought wine which was opened for Roanna's birthday, a day early, while Paul was the snack man.
We all went to bed early to ready ourselves for a 6am start to look for Gibbons. However Stijn and I played Tupen (card game) which I won 6-4.
Day 29. Zip tastic
13/5/08
The early morning walk was not altogether successful. Maybe we were to loud. Maybe the gibbons were hiding. So we returned to the treehouse to be presented by various fruits which we took as breakfast (language barrier). As it turned out 4 vegetable dishes and rice came after we all pigged out on fruit.
After an amazing food haul it was time to trek and zipline to another treehouse via a waterfall. Jokingly through the forest walk I limboed under a few low lying braches. This inspired the team to an evenings competition.
The waterfall and paddling pool proved a hit. We explored and enjoyed a massage under the waterfalls water pressure. A leech was charging for me as I got changed and would have latched on to me had it not been for Paul's watchful eyes.
Lunch was more veg and rice before heading to the next treehouse. There we discovered Adam had 2 leeches and Paul 1, on his arse!
While I counted nuts for the nights Poker game the crowd slept. Afterwards circuited the treehouse overlooking the waterfall. Zip lines of 400 meters and speeds of 65 km/hr. When we returned we realised the tree house had no candles or mosquito coils. Adam, Paul and I covered the mission to retrieve supplies by returning to the waterfall treehouse. The mission was completed in a stylish 30 minutes.
That evening we sat down to sausages, 3 veg dishes and rice. Then the limbo commenced. The prizes being an extra 'chip' for Poker. Marjan (Mary-Anne) was an easy winner, Roanna 2nd and me 3rd, doing my bit for the guys.
Poker then began and I won a confidence building 1st hand. Sadly birthday girl Roanna was 1st out, followed by Jennifer, Paul, Adam and Marjan. Stijn and I played on, but the close competition was boring the others so we took it to the other side of the treehouse. There was a close all in encounter where we drew. Both had a 5 and the kicker did not count. Eventually I nailed him.
The tiredness was showing so we tried to play a game that involved someone telling a funny story or personal experience. From that you pull another word to trigger another story for someone else. This game we invented needed refining! Bed time encroached so we mixed it up a little.
Day 30. It was sad to say goodbye
14/5/08
The 3rd and final morning on the Gibbon Experience was an early awakening for no particular reason. Think it was 6am when the local guide passed through. He made us a cup of tea. Eventually we walked back to the waterfall with all our belongings and had breakfast there. The highlights were an omelet and a quick swim! Sadly the there were no more zip lines on the hike back. The van picked us up at the village for a bumpy uncomfortable ride back to town for lunch. Stir fried rice, yeah. There we decided to all spend the night at the Friendship guesthouse together. Good drink, food (Indian) and company :-)
