Villages, Trekking, Caves, Waterfalls and Cooking Class: All in one day!

Our first full day did not disappoint! We began with an early pickup (ok 8:40 but that's early for a traveller!) by Green Discovery, the nicest ecotourism shop in town, and joined up with a fun diverse group that included a Moroccan, Polish, American (who was teaching in Bangkok), Chinese and a Scottish couple. I've been to all their home countries so that's cool! We arrived via a bumpy ride to a Khmer minority ullage were our awesome guide detailed their traditional life. I most enjoyed when he spoke of a local doctor who comes to the village to provide women's healthcare that included birth control since they were realizing that having 6-7 children (instead of 2-3 now) was keeping them in poverty. There were still plenty of dusty children running around and the grass and wood huts were basic (but the TV satellites were quite new) but I am still fascinated by how vastly different this village lifestyle is from my own.

The next village was Hmong and these two groups used to fight but now get along well an even allow inter-marriage. Hmong people are spread out all over the world and are a fiercely proud group of people.

Dog lovers Beware! Yes this is a picture of a dog being roasted. Apparently he bit a kid so now he becomes dinner.

We are learning that underwear is optional for kids! But they love seeing themselves!

Then the trekking began as we braved the rising heat and humidity index to find some relief in the shaded jungle.

After about two hours we arrived at our scenic lunch spot and enjoyed sticky rice, fried river weed and some other yummy dishes.

Check out the Lays flavor options. chili squid, river seaweed and Peking duck! Yuck!

The cave up the hill was long, about 100 meters and scattered with Buddhas as most are. Far in the cave however, out of breath due to lack of oxygen, I was a little anxious and happy to return to the fresh air (well as fresh as can be when it's also field burning season).

Another hour walk led us to the beautiful Keung Si waterfall which is an impressive 4-tiered 80 meter cascading waterfall that splashes in to crystal clear blue water. Amazing!

Our group: An American teacher in Bangkok, a Polish and Moroccan living in Germany, a quiet Chinese women and an older Scottish couple living in Malaysia:

We walked down alongside it, snapped some photos at the bottom then walked down towards the swimming lagoon for a much needed refreshing dip. There was also a swing and so since I skipped the risky swings in Vang Vieng, I decided to give this one a whirl which was fun! The water was amazing and the loud Russian tourists tolerable so overall, an amazing way to end the trip.

We returned to LP just in time to be dropped off, still with wet hair and big smiles from the day, at Tomouk Lao for our cooking class. This wasn't like the easy-going class in Vietnam... In this class we actually had to cook! And without wine! We first watched how our chef made four dishes then picked two to make, 'shopped' at the front table for our necessary items then got to work. Erika and I made a delicious Lao dish made of chicken, coconut milk and many spices as well as some cooked veggies and a tomato dip called jaew. It was actually easy and I think I need to get a wok whenever I have a home again (though am sure enjoying not having any housing costs now!). After enjoying our meal, and comparing our items with the Swedes, Australians and Canadian who were also cooking, we returned to our home with the ants and crashed!

Great day!