Hey y’all, this morning we awoke to another buffet breakfast. After we refuelled, we were ready to conquer one of our busiest days yet. We left the hotel at 8 o’clock and journeyed into the realms of the local fresh food market. Arrayed before us was a startling selection of tantalising treats. Raw meats, laden with flies, live fish out of water, gasping for air, colourful fruits of all sorts and even live frogs, tied together at the leg, struggling to escape. This experience was quite confronting for some, but was an opportune experience to take in the hubbub of the bustling marketplace.
Next up was our long-awaited elephant ride. But first, we had to take a bus ride! HA HA! When we got there we beheld the sight of over a dozen elephants, ready to be taken for a spin. We climbed on board our tamed beasts and began the first step on our exciting expedition. It was two or three to a single elephant, with a guide to aid us in our travels. Throughout our hour long ride, we had the option to sit at the front of our elephants! It was a real thrill. At the end of our ride we also got the opportunity to feed them. They gorged themselves on sugar cane and bananas.
Anyhow, after we left the elephant camp we walked to a regional primary school where we donated various gifts and observed their classroom behaviour. The kids really appreciated the gifts we gave them and were very thankful. The glimmer in their eyes as they received their presents was truly touching. Shortly after, we consumed a midday meal which gave the sustenance needed to energize us for our next activity!
We then travelled to a different location! We climbed steps leading to spectacular freshwater waterfalls, and the pools that the cascading water formed at the conclusion of its descent. The pools were stunning to look at and even more amazing to swim in. We enjoyed a refreshing swim and explored the caves beneath the overhanging rocks. We could go on, but we are very tired and the pictures will be worth a thousand words.
Upon our arrival at the hotel, everyone was ecstatic at the thought of CLEAN LAUNDRY!!! Which we proceeded to pick up. After this, dinner was enjoyed along Mekong River at a local eatery. The glimmer of the moonlight on the dark river made it look like a raging torrent of crude oil. We then spent two exciting hours at the night market where we purchased a host of goods (just you wait).
Finally, we arrived back at our haven, the Sunway hotel, and went to bed. Goodnight.
Jaeger and Edie
