Sam and Haydens day 4- Luang Prabang(Laos)

Helping to save the elephants

We started day four with a 7:30 wakeup call. After a nice breakfast of bacon and eggs, fruit and pancakes, we split up into small groups and climbed into our tour vans. The smaller vans were more suited to the narrow roads heading to our destination. We travelled through teak plantations and pineapple fields for about 45 minutes on the dusty trails of around Luang Prabang.

We finally arrived at our destination – The Elephant Village Sanctuary.  While we were waiting for our turn to ride one of the eleven elephants, we had the opportunity to pat and get our photos taken with one of the elephants as well as learning about their plight and difficult circumstances.  We also went for a walk looking for a spot to fish in the river with our guide ‘Sing’.  Once it was our turn to ride the elephants we climbed up onto the platform where we waited for our elephant to pick us up. We climbed onto the elephant’s saddle and began our trek.

We headed down a tributary of the mighty Mekong river where when then took our turns learning to be elephant drivers or Mahouts, riding safely on the elephant’s heads to the other side of the river. When we got to the other side of the river the elephant handler took some photos of us sitting on the elephants. {We hope to have the photos posted when we have a better connection] We then continued our ride back to the elephant camp where we got off the elephants. While we were waiting for the rest of our group to get back, we enjoyed a game of “Badong” {Like Bocce) with Sing our guide.

Once all of group had returned from the ride we went and had a nice lunch. For lunch we had a selection of rice with curry, stir fried vegetables and fresh salad. Whilst eating our lunch at the restaurant we had amazing views of the river and the mountains beyond. We could also see other people riding the elephants through the water.

After lunch we all headed back to the camp and got some bananas to feed the elephants. It was really cool to watch them take the bananas out our hands and eat them.

We then all gathered up into a group and started our trek to a traditional Hmong village called Hoify Village. We all gathered at the edge of the river where we then walked across the bridge (we did not catch boats to the other side, there was indeed a bridgeJ ) After crossing the ‘bridge’ we started our 2hr trek through the forest. As we were walking all we could hear were complaints about how hot the weather was, but everyone soldiered on despite the heat.

Once we reached the village we all had a seat at a table where the teachers gathered the books that we had purchased at the big brother mouse organisation the previous day. This is a non-profit charity that allows people to purchase educational material to be donated back to be use in villages to help children learn.  We then presented the books to the chief of the village who was more than happy to accept them on behalf of the village. The school was on holidays which meant that we couldn’t give it to them directly.

After we gave them the books we had a walk around the village taking photos of the children and buildings. The return trek in a different direction included a stop at a waterfall which gave everyone had a nice relaxing break at the water’s edge.  After everyone was ready to set off we returned to the Elephant Park, where we got back into our vans and headed back to the hotel for a short rest before dinner.

Sam and Hayden

Day 3-Laos-photos to come.

News Flash: Internet slow at Laos Hotel, photos to be hopefully uploaded tomorrow if we can find better conditions. (We will try to respond to your requests for more photos, keep the comments coming. Students do appreciate hearing from you.)
BHS staff

Day 3 Laos- Luang Prabang

Day three started early with a 4:30am wake up call, by 5:30am we said goodbye to the Hanoi Prince hotel and set off for the airport. It was still dark and though only early the never ending beeping of horns was evident. With plenty of time at the airport much of the group enjoyed  food and drinks at the airport cafe. With my friends and I having some interesting drinks such as the ‘pussyfoot’.

Upon arriving at Laos the immediate weather change was clearly evident with the sun shining and the heat radiating at a perfect temperature.

We met our tour guide ‘Sing’ and checked into the hotel. Forty five minutes away we visited the waterfalls. We were presented with large tables and brought a diverse range of Laos origin dishes. After lunch we set off to explore the breath taking views and scenery of the waterfalls. The crystal clear aqua water mesmorised us all.

Following the waterfalls we had the opportunity to visit a local library/bookstore that is a non-profit organisation. They rely on donations and the purchase of local Laos/English books to provide support out in the villages all around the country. Many of the group took this opportunity to buy books to personally hand out tomorrow at local villages.

Just before sunset we were lucky to visit a well known Budhist mountain. Well over two hundred feet tall many of us ran up eager to reach the top before sundown. When finally reaching the top we weren’t let down, but stunned with the beautiful view that over a hundred other people come to enjoy every morning and afternoon.

The night markets were at the bottom of the mountain and challenged our haggling skills. Many bought unique and wonderful souvenirs, using the local currency which is kip exchanging 1 dollar for 8000 kip. The markets are an amazing experience that is nothing like I ever imagined.

Dinner was amazing at a local restaurant which was located over a bamboo bridge and a rocky track . the cuisine was beautiful with us being able to first hand cook our meal on a traditional Laos open fire stove top. By 9pm it was time to head back to the hotel on the local transport which resembles a fifteen seater golf buggy, which is a very exciting and new form of transportation not seen in Australia.

Tomorrow we head to the elephant project park which much of the group is excited about. We will also drop the books we purchased today at the local villages, and in the evening we will be lucky enough to experience dinner on a Mekong river cruise.

Dimity Roberts

Mikaela's Day 2 in Hanoi, Vietnam

Our first full day in Hanoi. The first thing I notice is the chaotic traffic, seems to have no road rules, scooters and cars go in all directions, even on the footpaths.

We are also getting used to the money, $50 Australian buys you 1 millon Dong, the local currency. It sounds like sooo much money!! 

Today we had a tour of Ho Chi Minh's (the former president of Vietnam) Mausoleum.We walked through a large building, guards everywhere, standing so straight and serious. It felt very intimidating to walk through, especially when we walked through the tomb with his mummified body where there were yet more guards, this time with weapons. We got to see where Ho Chi Minh lived, it was so simple but beautiful.

The weather today was cold, around 13 degrees so before lunch we went back to our hotel to put more layers of cloths before heading back out around the city. Walking through the chaotic streets we had hardly any room, trying to not get run over, and avoiding people trying to sell us stuff we really didnt need.

We also visited Hanoi prison which was a confronting experience which showed us some of the history of Hanoi. There were torture weapons on display, cramped cells. It brought us conflicted emotions and opened our eyes to what it must have been like to be a political prisoner.

Tomorrow we get picked up from our hotel  5:30am local time to continue our journey and move on to Laos.

Mikaela Barnes

Day 2- Hanoi

 Sassie at Hanoi Prison.

 Rachel and Leilani at lunch overlooking Hanoi

Crossing the busy streets of Hanoi

Mr Malone, Fabia and Mitchel

Sassie Maddie and Shannon

We have arrived

After a long day of travel, now 3am Australian time we have now settled into our hotel in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.
We flew from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh city before a connecting flight to Hanoi and a bus trip through the bustling city to our hotel.
Tomorrow will begin with a 7am wake up call, a city tour and a visit to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum with our friendly guide Phoung. Students have been terrific so far and we are all excited for the wondeful experiences we are about to have.
Bowral High School Staff