Waterfalls and wild animals

Today was probably the best day of our trip, so far.

We decided to go out to visit one of the waterfalls in the area, that we were told was worth seeing. We hired a truck - Chaing Mai style - and headed out along the bumpy roads. It was so great driving through the local villages, seeing the various peculiarities of the culture, and the awesome view.

There were buffalo in the rice paddies and children riding bicycles carrying umbrellas to keep the sun off. We stopped in a small village and all the women and children put out their wares for us to see. I just couldnt buy from one of them so i just bought something small from each - much to their delight. The children repeated everything i said - I'm sure they had no idea what they were saying. One lady I paid, had two children and when i gave her a 10000 kip note her son began to cry. She gave it back to me and motioned for me to give her 2, 5000 kip notes - which i did - and both boys happily compared notes. (The children we have seen all throughout Lao are so involved in their parents lives. Tonight at the market I saw a girl of 10, cooking up a storm in her mothers road side stall). So after we had a good laugh at each other we said good bye to this happy bunch and headed straight for the falls.

When we arrived there was a sign for a wildlife sanctuary near the falls. We decided to head on over for a look. There were quite a few Moon (Asiatic Black) bears and also one Asian Tiger named Phet, all of whom had been rescued from Poachers. They were caged behind cyclone fencing (not quite Adelaide Zoo quality fencing). The bears happily played behind the fence about 4 metres from us however Phet the Tiger came a bit closer (about 3o centimetres from us through the fence) - certainly the closest we have ever been to a healthy looking tiger! While on one hand they were cages, the alternate option of these beautiful and endangered animals being hunted by pachers is certasinly the worse option. Luke bought a shirt to help support the running of the 'Protect the bears' fund.

We then headed off on the path that lead to the falls. Arriving at the bottom falls, we decided to take the extra hike to the top falls. Nice idea, but it was a strenuous scramble up a very steep hill. Some of the path had steps - at one point they were actually on the wall of the water fall, so we had water streaming over our feet as we climbed, which was quite a thrill as there was no hand rail. The rest of the path was a serious goat track.... and really showed up how unfit i am...... Mmmmm have to work on that!

When we got the top there was a bamboo railing along the very ridge of the falls, looking over the drop. We decided this was not an opportunity that we didn't want to miss, and braved our way across the slightly slippery rocks, as the water gushed past our legs. A few kodak moments later and we were scrambling back down the other side, thankful that we had not come up this way, as it was just one big mud slide. We offered our moral support to those we passed, as they headed up, and suggested they cross over and try the other track on the way down.

When we got to the bottom we wandered down through a series of smaller falls until we found a swimming hole with out any tourists - just a few locals (they were probably looking for the same and we probably spoilt their swim - LOL).

We decide this was the spot for us and tentatively stepped into the cold but aqua/white water. While swimming in this area there was one tourist who decided he was going to jump off the 10 foot (small) waterfall into the frothing water below. We thought this looked a bit periolous and that he was a bit cray but it caught on and before long a number of people were doing it and Luke decided he had to do it also and (after some convincing his parents!!!) he headed onto the falls and off he went (but we missed it with the camera!!); Up he went again (and we missed it again); up he went again and we caught the action on a small movie file but by now it was the norm and he went up again and again.

Jordan was initially hesitant but after a while and a couple of progressive (smaller) jumps he too did it and now they were both into it..... After about 90 minutes in the water we packed up and headed back to the Tuk Tuk. One other experience on this same day was that near the waterfall

Our final trip home in the Tuk Tuk was a good as the way up.....dodging the horses eating freely beside the road, swerving around potholes and children all over the place (school was out) and weaving our way back through the different villages located so close to town and yet so very different to what we would ever see, anywhere in Australia.

It was a great day. David & Stephanie