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L&C Day 16: The Great Race and a school visit for our final day!

November 25, 2014

This morning we did the Great Race, where we completed tasks all around Luang Prabang. We were put into groups of 5 and given a list of instructions and tasks. The tasks included: visiting a market, a stadium and a pond, climbing a mountain, having a designated 5 minute break and seeing some beautiful temples. We got around Luang Prabang by foot and by tuk tuk, and it was good that we saw different parts of the city that we usually wouldn’t take the time to visit in a big group. The Great Race was a lot of fun and I think that we all enjoyed the designated rest after.

Once all of the groups had arrived at the temples (which was the last place we had to go) we split up into smaller groups to choose our restaurant and eat lunch.

After lunch we took a short boat ride across the Meekong river, and then a tuk tuk ride to a local school. At the school we met the principal and he told us information about the school. There are over 1,200 students attending the school and only 61 teachers working there. Many of the students board at the school because their families live in different provinces on the other side of the Meekong River.

We took a group photo with the principal and handed over our gifts to the teachers and students. They were all very grateful. Once all our gifts had been handed over we performed a rendition of Waltzing Matilda. Then we had the opportunity to play with the kids. Most of the kids didn’t speak much English but we managed basic conversations and played lots of games like volleyball and soccer. The kids were much better than us at both sports. After only an hour or so we were all sad to say goodbye to the students and the teachers at the school, but we were so happy we got to meet and interact with them. After saying our goodbyes we hopped back onto our tuk tuks and crossed back over the Meekong River.

Before dinner we took part in a traditional Laotian ceremony, which included us being sung to and having white string tied around our wrists. The string is said to bring good luck and most of us had four or five tied around each wrist. The Lao people also performed dances that were related to different parts of Lao culture. We then all got flowers put in our hair before learning a traditional Lao dance, which included doing complicated hand movements and dancing in a circle. After we had finished dancing we sat down and had pizza for dinner. We can’t believe that tonight is our last night on the Big Experience and that we are flying back home tomorrow!

By Grace Perriam

Tomorrow morning, there will be time for some last minute shopping, before packing up and travelling to the airport for our first flight to Siam Reap at 2:15pm.

China Day 15: Yangshuo, Silver Cave and travelling to Shanghai

November 25, 2014

By Matthew McDonald

Howdy from Yangshuo!

Our day started early with a healthy and scrumptious breakfast. We were given 15 minutes to walk around the market, where we had been given a tour yesterday. We bought fresh fruit that was bursting in flavour and colour. The prices were much cheaper compared to Australian fruit as we bought a whole bag of mandarines for the equivalent of $1. The strong smell of fish filled the markets as well as the different variety of fruits. With a crowd of people filling every corner of space available we hurriedly went back on the bus to make our way to Silver Cave.

Our journey to the Silver Cave let our eyes explore the magical scenery that surrounded the road on our bus trip. It was amazing to see all the pinnacles of rock stretching as high as skyscrapers, creating a jagged outline of the mountainside as it surrounded us on all sides. A view one would never get to experience in the countryside of Australia, let alone in the middle of a city.

As we finally arrived at the Silver Cave we were met with a 15 minute walk to the actual cave itself. Many stalls were set up, trying to take advantage of the popular tourist destination. As we walked through the entrance,we were greeted by many large limestone formations illuminated with multicoloured lights which made it clearer to see. It was 50m from the lowest point to the highest point of the cave and the trail we took through it was almost 3km long, with amazing rock formations down the entire snaking length. We were mesmerised by the vibrant lights on the rocks of every colour, contouring the rocks edges and the spectacular, natural shapes which they formed. The lights made it easier to see the rocks and made them even more alluring to our eyes. At the beginning the cave was quite cool and refreshing, but the higher we got within the cave the more humid it had become, causing a desperate need for water afterwards.

Perhaps one of the best sights we have seen was a large rock pillar formation in the centre of some shallow water. The water reflected the formation creating the illusion of deep clear water and creating a hypnotising sight for all to see as it seemed to be endless within the pool. It was properly the most memorising thing we’ve all seen throughout the trip.

Lunch soon came around as we left the Silver Cave and drove back to the West Street markets for lunch. We went to a local cafe to see how the Chinese cooks interpreted our own culture. We all warmly welcomed the presence of Western food and the soccer game which was being played on the nearby TV. There was a comforting aura around, that makes it so hard to believe that only a few weeks ago we were all strangers to each other. With the ending of lunch we went out for one last quick look around the markets, absorbing everything we could and stretching our legs before we got back on the bus and left for the trip back to Guilin airport.

With darkness taking over outside and us awaiting for the plane to Shanghai, we began to realise how far we had all come through the trip and reflect on everything that we’ve done and discovered in this country as we only have one more night left here. Here in China we have discovered that if you give a simple gift like a rubber, toy car or skipping rope, you’ll make a kid smile, while back home they would throw it away without a second. It is a country of extremes, from the immaculate cleanliness of Beijing to the dirty streets on the outskirts of Xi’an. Overall this has been an inspiring, at times jaw dropping, culturally insightful and mind-blowing journey through China, and when we return, we’ll come back with more knowledge of the world than before and hopefully be able to act upon it.

By Sophie Tegg and Peter Kouroulis.

Vietnam Red Day 16 – Ho Chi Minh

November 25, 2014

By cwilliamson

Today we had an awesome day that started with an accidental wakeup call of 6:30 instead of 7:30 that gave us nice fresh start to a wonderful day filled with laughs and smiles. After our wakeup call we went up to the 8^th floor for breakfast that consisted of a variety of different foods from different cultures. We then hopped on the bus which took us 45 minutes to the orphanage. When we arrived there we could straight away see how disadvantaged the children were and how they spent their days. To even make things worse, the children all have disabilities with no treatment to help them. Most of the children won’t even make it past the age of 17 and won’t be able to leave the orphanage in that time. However, it brought everyone great joy to see the looks of pure happiness on the faces of the children as we gave them our gifts and played with them, the children especially enjoyed the light up balls, the blow up soccer balls, and drawing books and coloured pencils. When it came time for lunch we got to help feed the children who struggled to eat by themselves. The children especially enjoyed the yoghurt they got after they finished their meal. We were all happy to present a donation to the orphanage to help them get along and to support the children. Then we got back on our bus and feeling humbled, we enjoyed some quite time as we drove back to the hotel so that we could go and get some lunch during our free time. During free time, some of us went to a Pho restaurant where we enjoyed pho noddles mixed with a variety of meats. I ordered the number three combo which included pho noddles with beef a coke, and a caramel flan for desert which was very filling. We then raced back to the hotel where we were beginning to start the Great Race. We got split up into 5 teams and got handed sheets with questions and instructions to do and follow. Each team set out with energetic spirit as we marched into the streets of Vietnam. The race itself was a challenge to know our surroundings and how to get around. During the race we needed to ask the locals questions and directions to complete it. It was a challenge trying to ask the locals questions as some of them didn’t know much English which resulted in they them saying prices for wallets or fruit! At the end of the race we were asked to go to the tallest tower in Vietnam which was called the Bitexco Tower. We got an awesome view of Ho Chi Minh city which was breathtaking. Then we went to dinner at a pleasant little restaurant where we had dinner and then we thanked Hung our tour guide for being amazing! Then we wished Jemima a Happy Birthday for the 25^th November (as we will be on the plane tomorrow night – and it was midnight on the 25^th in Australian time). We had a cake and all sung Happy Birthday to her, then she opened some cards from family in Australia. Then Hung took us to the top of this amazing five star hotel that was super expensive which no one could afford but we got to enjoy the amazing view. Then we went back to the hotel and got ready for bed.

By Matthew Ganther and Simon

Vietnam Monkeys Day 15

November 25, 2014

By ldaniels

We were woken up by a knock on our cabins at 4:30am as we would shortly be arriving in Hanoi. After gathering our stuff we were off the train after a 15 hour journey. We were at our hotel in no time, where we were able to relax and catch up on lost sleep. The breakfast buffet at this hotel was filled with many wonderful foods and left us satisfied. We rested for a few hours before heading out to our first day in Hanoi. We enjoyed a tour of the busy city, seeing markets, historic bridges and many streets filled with shops. Our tour started with a walk over a bridge that was designed by Gustave Eiffel (who also designed a tower in Paris!)

We later climbed into electric cars for a tour through the old quarter of Hanoi, where each street specialises in a certain product e.g. shoes, toys

Today’s lunch was on the fourth floor of a traditional Vietnamese restaurant where we enjoyed a delicious meal.

After lunch, we had heaps of free time wandering around the city and finding our own way to the shops. A lot of us bought many gifts for our loved ones back home, and gained some skills bargaining for clothes and shoes. We then went to a lovely dinner in a restaurant called Little Hanoi where we once again were able to enjoy a traditional Vietnamese meal. We then had the privilege of watching a traditional Vietnamese theatre performance called Thang Longs Water Puppets.

It was a very enjoyable performance that gave us insight into the Vietnamese culture and way of life. It was very colourful, and there was even a small display of fireworks during one performance! It was a great experience overall and we learned a lot about Vietnamese traditional puppetry.

By Paddy S and Zoe H

Fireflies: Hanoi

November 25, 2014

By Annabel Southey

Awaking on the train, at the pleasant hour of 4:30am, we stumbled into an awakening Hanoi. After yet another buffet breakfast, we began our exploration of the city at the Hao Lo prison, nicknamed ‘Hanoi Hilton’. This prison was originally built by the French to hold political prisoners. The Vietnamese that were held there were subjected to horrific tortures and living conditions. The trip there was a confronting one and allowed us to reflect on the hardships faced by many.

After the historic visit we went to the markets to view yet another side of Hanoi. The markets were busy and full of life, allowing us to buy some last minute gifts for loved ones back home.

Before dinner we were treated to an outstanding performance of puppetry. But not just any old puppetry- the famed Hanoi Water Puppet Troupe. The show consisted of puppets in water controlled by sticks and accompanied by traditional Vietnamese music and singing. The performance was interesting, and even had fire-breathing dragons, fish and phoenixes.

Today was a great day, and it’s scary to think we have one full day left before the plane trip home.

Frances and Jacqui

Fireflies: Hue –> Hanoi

November 25, 2014

By Annabel Southey

As the day began, reality started to kick in – we have only five days left of our Big Experience which is very exciting for some, but for most is quite sad. Today was the train journey to the last city on our trip, Hanoi. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and is the main city of the North.

We started the day with a boat ride to a pagoda. This pagoda was home to a lot of orphans who were raised to be monks; however, on their 18th birthday each of them will be given the opportunity to become a full monk or leave. When we got back to the hotel we checked out at around 12pm. From the hotel we had a short bus ride to the station for a 13 hour train trip to Hanoi. On the train we are in small but cosy cabins with 4 beds and a small table which we have been using for card games like President and Cheat.

The train journey has given us a lot of time to think and reflect on the trip that has been. Family, friends and even little things like our phones and iPads have all been on our minds and as the trip comes to an end and we approach Hanoi, it feels like we are closer and closer to arriving back at the South Road gates.

Tom Wilson