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Published: November 11th 2009
I believe I left off just prior to taking a twelve hour bus ride back to Chiang Mai from Khon Kaen, after confusing Chiang Khong - where I actually needed to be - with Khon Kaen - literally hundreds of miles off course. I was fortunate in that I had a short wait to catch the next bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, and an even shorter wait to catch the final bus to Chiang Khong after which I could take a boat to cross the river from Chiang Khong, Thailand to Huay Xai (prounounced 'Way Sigh), Laos-whew! I secured a room for the night in Huay Xai, Laos, cleaned up and across the street found a little shop which sold a fine BeerLao; saddled up to a table and shortly thereafter met the brother of the lady that ran the little shop where I had planted myself. These little mom and pop operations sell fresh fruit, beer, soda, nuts, chips, shampoo and other tolitries, and hot dishes such as kuay thiaw - a wonderful soup with noodles, onions, garlic, hot peppers, beef strips, bean sprouts and mint leaves. He was very excited to show me his garden -
and the twelve foot tall pot plant which had a 2" trunk at the base. He informed me that a German had given him the seeds and he was very excited that it was finally producing 'buds.' Oh, and by the way-would I be interested in smoking some opium? Shit-I work for the Federal Government-it was a foregone conclusion.
The next day I rented a motorcycle from a guy down the way and headed off to see what trouble I could find, needless to say I was succesful. I thought it might be interesting to check out their airport. Afterall, at some time it had been operational and, what the hell-compare and contrast. I entered the grounds and advised the stern looking and not so friendly guys that I just wanted to look around and maybe take some pictures-do I look like a spy? I was referred to several different paramilitary types until I reached what I determined to be the main dude. I was escorted out of there without time for me to explain that I was merely interested in...forget it.
I checked-in with the Gibbon people later that afternoon and the next day we would head off into
the jungle. Twelve of us met in the am and loaded up into a Toyota pick-up with three in the front and nine sitting on two opposing benches in the bed. The paved road to the river was fine-it was the deeply rutted slippery and steep dirt roads which followed that were problematic, at least to us foreigners. After an hour we arrived at a small village and after being saddled up with 'zip line' harnesses at the kitchen - which was further up the trail, we hiked through the hot and humid jungle to treehouse number one. To gain entrance to the treehouse - which was 120 feet in the air cabled to 100 + year old banyan/ficus trees - we would have to attach our harnesses and safety straps to the 3/4" steel cable, and 'zip' to the fort! I believe that all of us were just a little bit apprehensive but we all made it without any kind of mishap. It was a multi-storied affair complete with a small kitchenette - we did not have to worry about cooking our food as it would be prepared and delivered at the appropriate meal time. We had coffee, Ovaltine,
nuts, fruit, and baguettes (French colonization of Laos) available at all times. The shower - yes, seriously, produced cold - but refreshing water and the toilet was of the squat variety except 'it' dropped to the jungle floor. We were told that the wild boars would take care of our business. The views were exquisite and you felt that you were very privileged to be able to take part in such an exercise. We were told that Gibbon sightings were not guaranteed-only possible. One was sighted - and videotaped - for all to see.
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angela
non-member comment
Opium
so did you smoke it??? And I am confused, I thought I saw Red at Bee's last weekend???