Author: LIngram

Today we had a lovely sleep in before jumping on the three mini buses at 9 O’clock for a one hour bus trip to an elephant camp. We split into two groups, one group got to ride the massive yet adorable elephants whilst the others fed two young elephants (3 and 4 years old). After an hour we switched places. The older elephants had to work in the mountains pulling wood whilst the babies stayed in a small shelter, only being able to move 5 metres. It was sad as the elephants had no freedom, but we were reassured that this way of life gave more protection and likelihood of survival as they are guarded and well fed. Fun Fact: The elephants within the sanctuary could live up to 100 years old, they are born at around 50 kilos and can grow up to four tons and they consume 20-40 litres of water per day. After this amazing experience we hopped back onto the bus for a short ride to 3 tiered Krungi Waterfalls which housed an Asian pear protection sanctuary. We walked up to the magnificent waterfalls to observe their nature relaxing baby blue shade. After another quick walk our group split into two restaurant to have a go at ordering traditional Lao cuisine.
Getting back into our mini vans we drove to a Mong hill tribe’s village to observe their culture and everyday life. We looked inside a local widowed ladies house that she shared with 7 other people. She dressed, much like the others in her village, in their traditional clothes. The way they lived was better than some tribes who still live in the mountains who have no access to electricity, clean water, doctors, education and other aspects of society we today take for granted. They live in a traditional manner, however, they are economically dependent on government funding and tourism. It is hard to imagine the life they live when compared to all the luxuries we take for granted back in Melbourne.
The group is upbeat and feeling amazing as we approach the sunset of our Big Experience! The contrast between Lao and Cambodia’s environment is a curious thing. In Lao, the government seems to fund more organisations and projects that help protect and sustain the environment. Whilst Cambodia’s government almost entirely depends on other countries to support and preserve their natural environment. Preserving the environment has many benefits for Lao which include tourism, better infrastructure and an enhanced economy. We have loved exploring both of these amazing countries and meeting and getting to know more about their peoples and daily lives.
Anouschka Freyny, Angus Kennedy and Asha Regos Thiele (Happy Birthday mum!)

Today we had the pleasure of waking up to brilliant sunshine, mountains of purple hue with a cool flowing river beside our hotel. VangVieng is a sleepy town amidst some stunning landscapes. After a day of intense physical activity yesterday we were anticipating our long bus ride where we could relax and recuperate our energy. We were on our way to our last stop Luang Prabang.

Our travels took us through magnificent mountain ranges and we listened to our guide Joy recount what life would be like to live in a mountain village. As young as 5 or 6 years old children would have to help on farms which would be basically subsistence living. If they have the opportunity to go to school it would be walking about an hour each way and school in Laos, in remote areas would only be until the end of primary school.
This level of poverty is distinct to that of the street children in Phnom Penh; at least in the mountains there is community, connectedness and purpose of working together.

As the grown ups on the bus ponder the complexities of life we appreciate your children more: their courage, their intellect and their wonder in grappling with the vast differences of culture that face them each day of this trip. They know now in stark reality what they have, what is important and we have no doubt that they will come home with new perspectives of life beyond Australia, and yes many of them now know how to wash and fend for themselves.

It has been our pleasure to travel alongside your children on this journey, to see this world through their youthful eyes and wonder with them. Each stop along the way as we see small shops on the roadside selling their wares and charging us a pittance for toilet facilities your children have another think about Laos or Cambodia as they realise the significant differences in lives simply by where you are born. They have seen poverty, people with meagre belongings who still smile, live and love. They have eaten bowls of steaming noodles in broth sometimes with hot chillies and we have encouraged veggies too!

Each young adult in our group has embraced their own challenges in travel, in stepping outside their comfort zone. They have discovered new friendships and achieved personal bests in each day with smiles and enthusiasm. They were even positive after our 8 hour bus ride, which is amazing in itself.

Their should and will be photos attached to this blog but that is in a story which has a camera, a river, a canoe and a waterproof bag…..we think you can join the dots.
So in short, photos will be posted tomorrow.

From Deane, Clare and Mary

The Temples groups have are transitting through Ho Chi Minh and are awaiting the next flight to Siem Reap. Staff report that all are doing well.