Trekking Lao-style
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Our 2-day trek from Luang Prabang is definitely one of the highlights so far. We didn't see another Westerner for 2 days - a good sign of being "off the beaten track" I reckon! The hike was fantastic - stunning scenery, fascinating village people from different ethnic hill tribes, and a fun guide.
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My fitness must really be lacking though - I had to get carried across the rivers, and was even caught leaning on a tree for support. :)
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They had some kind of ceremony for us in the evening - we had to drink a few shots of 'lao-lao' (seriously strong alcohol fairly burns the throat...just grin & bear it :) ). Then we were given loads of bracelets "for the good luck". It was an unforgettable experience.
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Day 2 we continued downhill via a waterfall and back by the river. The villagers work so hard carrying heavy sacks of rice, piles of wood, or supplies. Everyday they walk about 4 hrs from the village to the road, get a tuk-tuk to Luang Prabang to exchange goods (selling rice or corn, and buying supplies), then walk back to the village in the evening. Others are either collecting rice, pounding rice, cooking, building, or making something else in the village.
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Some of the villages had electricity, generated from a makeshift pump at the river. Other hill tribes use a half-pipe (made from several bamboo sticks tied together) to transport clean water for washing and cleaning to their area.
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