Woke up at 6am, as it is light in the jungle and the guides were fairly noisy preparing breakfast. Delicious noodles, snake and frog were on the menu. Not a weetabix in sight! All tasted great and the feast was washed down with coffee. The guide showed us how to make really strong rope before we left the camp.
Off we trekked through the jungle. The guide pointed out a great, big spider on its web. We carried on until lunch, where we all collapsed by a small stream. The guides made lunch which was chicken and vegetables. We choose not to eat the chicken, though it was thoroughly cooked. The reason being the guide had been carrying it in his bag since we left.... yesterday morning!
The guide taught us a jungle game with 4 sticks and we explained how the same sticks could be used for a noughts and crosses board. Leaves and stones for counters. He also set fire to the Sap of a tree which burnt incredibly well before extinguishing it instantly with leaves.
The afternoon continued with more river crossings and a visit to a farm. We then met our boat on the river bank, which whisked us off for a trip to a minority village. One of the cows in the village seemed a little upset with us visiting but as he charged he was held back by his leash. Phew! We continued walking through the village where the children either stared at us, mesmorised or they continued to ride their water buffalo to the fields. The school and well were donated by an international NGO and we saw the community hall where village meetings are held. On to the cemetery next. Each grave contained a full size wooden carving of a man and a lady plus 2 banana plants for the spirits! A really interesting place.
We returned to the boat for our trip out of the jungle. We were then picked up by the owner of the trekking company in his car. He opened the boot where he had a bucket of ice, full of cold drinks! Wow, we needed those. And that was the end of our incredible adventure!
After returning to our hotel, we booked our bus tickets for early tomorrow morning. Bye, bye Ban Lung!
Off we trekked through the jungle. The guide pointed out a great, big spider on its web. We carried on until lunch, where we all collapsed by a small stream. The guides made lunch which was chicken and vegetables. We choose not to eat the chicken, though it was thoroughly cooked. The reason being the guide had been carrying it in his bag since we left.... yesterday morning!
The guide taught us a jungle game with 4 sticks and we explained how the same sticks could be used for a noughts and crosses board. Leaves and stones for counters. He also set fire to the Sap of a tree which burnt incredibly well before extinguishing it instantly with leaves.
The afternoon continued with more river crossings and a visit to a farm. We then met our boat on the river bank, which whisked us off for a trip to a minority village. One of the cows in the village seemed a little upset with us visiting but as he charged he was held back by his leash. Phew! We continued walking through the village where the children either stared at us, mesmorised or they continued to ride their water buffalo to the fields. The school and well were donated by an international NGO and we saw the community hall where village meetings are held. On to the cemetery next. Each grave contained a full size wooden carving of a man and a lady plus 2 banana plants for the spirits! A really interesting place.
We returned to the boat for our trip out of the jungle. We were then picked up by the owner of the trekking company in his car. He opened the boot where he had a bucket of ice, full of cold drinks! Wow, we needed those. And that was the end of our incredible adventure!
After returning to our hotel, we booked our bus tickets for early tomorrow morning. Bye, bye Ban Lung!
