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Published: August 14th 2007
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We made it across the border, with no problems after Kirstyn's second hospital experience post monkey attack for another vaccine shot! Very relaxed border crossing, although this was our very first. We did however have some dramas trying to get enough cash (especially the US dollars - the banks didn't want to part with small denominations) for the next few weeks as Laos apparently has no ATM's except Vientiane. All this aside we arrived in Houay Xai a bit after lunch and attempted to find the Gibbon Experience in the hottest part of the day carrying all our gear! Unfortunately we had bogus directions so found a hotel and then found it later by simply asking someone - derr.
At the Gibbon Experience office we had a very brief rundown and tutorial before signing an indemnity form which cleared them of any responsibility whatsoever before the adventure starting the next day! (Thinking of you Brendan and Phil as we signed!).
Twelve of us piled into a Troopy the next morning (we were in the front but climbed in the wrong side at first - left hand drive here (Kirstyn took a photo for you Terry)) We drove for
The view from our Treehouse
Amazing view over the valley early in the morning with the amazing sound of the Gibbons The view from our Treehouse
Amazing view over the valley early in the morning with the amazing sound of the Gibbonsa couple of hours to the edge of the Bokeo Nature Reserve and from the small village there hiked up a pretty steep track for an hour and a half or so till we reached the base camp of the experience. We were accompanied by a gorgeous little orphan Asiatic Black Bear which was suckling on everyones limbs at any chance! Harnesses were handed out and the real adventure began. Our guides spoke very little English so the instructions were brief and to the point....luckily all went fine and we managed to stay attached to both our harnesses and the zip lines!
A bit of background on the Gibbon Experience: It was started by a group of people with the aim of conservation of the forest and its inhabitants. They hope to do this by providing an alternative income for the surrounding villages (and to try and decrease dependancy on slash and burn agriculture) and money to protect the reserve through active protection. At the moment there are five treehouses built (we stayed in no.3) which you stay in
for two nights. The treehouses are connected to the ground by Zip lines (giant flying fox lines). There are also
Treehouse Two
lots of zip lines which help you travel between the different houses. The view from the houses were amazing and the zip lines were heaps of fun. The longest one is about 450m long and you cruise above the valley of the forest at about 100m!!!
On our first morning we heard the amazing calls of the Black Gibbons but could not see them. The following morning we arose early and waited anxiously to hopefully spot the Gibbons. Eventually we were rewarded with their amazing calls, this time much louder. Kirstyn then spotted them across the valley from our treehouse - so lucky!! Fortunately we had bought some binoculars and managed to see them quite well as they played and swung about the trees.
Words can't really describe the experience. The time was a mixture of sheer adrenaline and excitement playing on the zip lines, hard work trekking through the jungle to each zip line, and just chilling out in our peaceful surroundings in the treehouses admiring the spectacular scenery. We also became addicted to Laos
Isn't he cute
Exhausted after attacking the last lot of people Coffee and condensed milk during our stay and made some very yummy condensed milk/ovaltine fondue (we didn't burn it Jen!). The time
Isn't he cute
Exhausted after attacking the last lot of peoplepassed so quickly and it was sad to leave after what seemed no time at all. Hopefully once we can work out the technology we can also attach some videos which are great to watch.
NB: Have had some dramas with viruses on our memory stick so may have lost the rest of our Gibbon Experience photos and videos 😞
We will add a separate entry later if we get the photos back 😊
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