We met the rest of our posse at the Green Discovery offices in preparation for our day of fun out in the jungle and on the river. Green Discovery is one of the well know operators all over Laos and were recommended to us by some of the guys on the Gibbon Experience and they did look and feel more professional than the other companies (or maybe that was just because they are more expensive). Our guide was very good. Perfect English and knowledgeable but arriving at the mountain bike depot was a bit of a let down. We found only 21″ frames for all – nobody needing more than 19″. Uncomfortable helmets, bad breaks and worn out shocks were part of the package. As it turned out we didn’t really need mountain bikes. There was nothing technical about the route save for some muddy patches. Our group completed the 2 hour bike ride along good dirt roads in around an hour – even with me getting a flat and V doing some hilarious muddy acrobatics over her handlebars.

It was then onto the kayaks for a 15 minute paddle to the Tat Sae waterfall :gps:(GPS)::19.843489::102.220426:gps:. We had requested a single kayak each but were not given enough so V and I ended up on a double. Hehe. Just like being on a tandem bike 🙂 The waterfall was stunning. Milky water running ferociously over dozens of pools and limestone formations. When we arrived the place was empty and we took full advantage of the slightly cool pools, swings and jumps before the place flooded with tak-tak delivered day-trippers. Arna is definitely a water person. She could not resist going back for more and more. Lunch at the pools was filling but probably the least appetizing meal so far in Laos – sticky rice with an assortment of dishes. I tried to pin our guide down on the price of local bus tickets but his answers seemed unlikely. Everyone here seems to try and keep tourists on the well trodden path (in this case, minibus rides). The waterfall park also had, for a fee, a set of zip lines (nothing compared with our experience) and some sad looking little nellies to ride – not our thing.

As we got back onto the river the sun came out in full force making the landscape ever more beautiful. It was a long paddle passing villages, fisherman and water buffalo. We paused occasionally to rest letting the current take us. As we floated we had chance to chat with our friends and enjoy ourselves. Suddenly our guides lept to their feet (on their kayak) and started gesticulating wildly. They had spotted a King Cobra crossing the 50m wide river. We watched it go at an impressive pace, climb out on the far bank and disappear into the bush. The thought of falling out or going for a swim in the muddy water became instantly less appealing !

Rapids ahead meant one thing – a little fun for me 🙂 V and I didn’t fall out by I managed to get into a fair amount of trouble by steering us into a half submerged bush part way through a rough section. V was not impressed. So no more tandem bikes for us – and now no more tandem kayaks either ! A little further down river Nick had to swat at another crossing cobra as it approached his kayak. This one had it’s head raised. A shot at the right scale and it would have looked like Nessy. Scary – the thought of one of those sharing your kayak.

It was a great day out but we arrived back in LP burnt and totally spent. At six V woke me to a pool of drool on my pillow. We needed to go out to meet up with Nick at the Belgian (in Lao you spell ‘Belgian’ as ‘Expensive’) restaurant for a farewell drink. We arrived to find Nick fast becoming best mates with the proprietor. A glass of Leffe and a big grin on Nick’s face said it all. Cheers Nick – it was great to meet and travel with you ! Maybe we’ll catch up with you again sometime.

[Pictures: V – oops. Landed in the mud on a FLAT road LOL. Beautiful waterfalls. Nick in his Kayak]

– Posted from my iPhone via Wifi