Dear Friends and Family of China 2016,
The group is now in Chongqing and we will be travelling for three days without internet till we reach Guiyang in 3 days time. We are all fit and healthy!
We will be in touch as soon as we can.
Regards
China Team
We are en route to the Mekong river delta. We are super excited for the house build and experiencing village life.
The wifi will be unreliable for the time we are in the village so our daily blogs will not be posted until we get back to Ho Chi Minh City. Look forward to all our stories!
Orphanage and Cu Chi Tunnels
Today was the day we visited and volunteered at the orphanage; an amazing and rewarding experience. If you ever get a chance to visit you would be very welcomed. When we arrived after the long bus ride in peak hour traffic we got to see the kids from the British International School who were also visiting the orphanage. We were split into two groups. One group stayed upstairs with the children who are immobile due to spinal disabilities and the other group went downstairs to the more mobile and slightly older children where they played with plasticine, made moulds with them and made them laugh. Some of us pushed the wheelchairs of Down’s syndrome kids who really enjoyed the whizzing sensation. We really enjoyed spending time with the children. We also fed them which was challenging but definitely an experience to be had. When we gave them some gifts, such as hot wheels toy cars and soft toys, their faces lit up with excitement and thanks which melted our hearts. We were all so touched at all the time and effort the workers and volunteers put in to help out these children in need. The Head of the orphanage, Sister Kim, was so grateful that we had visited as well as made a small donation. In return she gave us some yum rice cakes which were delicious. 
After the orphanage, we went onto the bus and had another bus ride, that took a little over an hour. When we arrived, we had lunch on a platform on water, which I (Siobhan) personally think was the best lunch by far, even though we only have eaten 2 lunches so far. After the exquisite lunch we saw a really old documentary which explained the reason behind the tunnels underground, and the audio wasn’t 100% but, it was 1960’s so I guess we can excuse that. Then we saw how the traps were made and how deadly they were. The group took many photos and really learnt a lot about the American war against Vietnam. After seeing the deadly traps we got to go into one of the teeny tiny trapdoors that open into the Cu Chi tunnels. Many students and some teachers even went inside to get a photo of them coming out. It was very squishy inside and all of us had to squat to fit into such a confined space. Following on from that most of us decided to actually go into the tunnels and crawl through 20 to 120 meters of the restricted spaces that would make anyone feel claustrophobic. Right after it was time to hit the road, Jack. On the bus we had lots of banter thrown around the group and played some fun games.
Once back we filled in our journey docs and headed for dinner which was Indian which was delicious. We were glad we had napkins for once in a restaurant. As the day started to end we headed home from dinner and bought bubble blowers from street sellers and took photos of people in Pickachu costumes. Once we got back to the hotel we headed to bed.
We miss you all!
Luke and Siobhan
Before the sun arose over the mountain top horizon in the far distance, the Pagodas were awake and preparing for an intense, sweaty Muay Thai Boxing class. For us, it was an energetic class, but as we learnt – for the instructors and fighters a way of life. In the ring, on the mats, and by the bags – hard working fighters were training and enjoying a cool, rainy morning beating the bags and training with each other. Certainly within our own group many unexpected boxers revealed their true colours, by doing power kicks, fast punch combos, and the signature Muay Thai elbow manoeuvres.
After our exhausting Muay Thai session we came back to our hotel for a quick buffet breakfast. After breakfast we set out for our white water rafting adventure. Driving down the dirt road with beautiful elephants alongside us and under the canopy of thick green trees, we drew closer to the white waters as nervous energy passed over the group. With the humid atmosphere sticking our clothes onto us, the fast flowing water came as a relief. The further we travelled down the river the views became more extraordinary and lively, as if the environment was speaking to us. From start to finish, we disembarked the rafts and climbed the stone cut stairs to the greatest and immense view yet. There’s nothing in Australia that resembles the calm, rural Panasonic view. Later in the day we hopped in the pool for a quick, relaxing splash – a more familiar aquatic environment to our group than the rapid, rushing, rocky river.
As the sun set and the streets cooled down, the group was introduced to the aspect of the busy rush of the night markets, the very cultural essence of Thailand. The whole experience of the markets was eye opening and lively as wooden frogs were played, cheap polos shirts were sold, and fish nibbled at the feet of a few of us. Existing prices were soon changed with competitive negotiation to more affordable items. Through bargaining a new experience was given, as bargaining is expected in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
The day was exhausting both physically in the ring and in the rapids, and mentally in the close quarter battlegrounds of the night markets. Despite the exhaustion the day was full of new experiences! Can’t wait for a more comforting and relaxing day tomorrow meeting the indigenous peoples of Northern Thailand provinces.
Bailey E and Claudia V O
By Cal and Finn M
This morning we woke up bright and early to get ready for our trip to a village called Mai Chau. The breakfast consisted of pancakes, toast, fruit and asparagus (we were literally Vietnam yellow).
Everyone seemed to arrive on time at the lobby and before we went on the bus to Mai Chau we decided to go to the markets. The first market we went to had 3 floors and was jam packed. We all bought many items and of course the boys in the hood brought sting (Sting is a Vietnamese energy drink that is highly obsessive, it tasted amazing). The second market we travelled to in our new Gucci wear was a food market. The food market consisted of many varieties of food (🐕).
After the very interesting markets we had to go back to the hotel and get ready for a 4 hour bus ride to the village. As we got on the bus we were very excited but anxious to see what it was like. It was a long trip but with a few stops on the the way we were able to manage.
Once arriving to the village we set up our beds and then got the big news. Trump is now officially the U.S. President, let’s just say we had a lot of mixed feelings about it.
After hearing the news we wanted to explore the shops and the streets of Mai Chau. We were exhausted and came back to the 5 star resort (with 7 swimming pools, spa and king sized beds) – “Finn you fool why did I write this blog with you?”. Anyway, dinner was great and we had a variety of food from soup, spring rolls, chicken, rice, fish and chips. We are now around the table talking about sting and how awesome Finn and Cal are, like they are just so amazing it’s actually insane.
Out,
B0y$ of the hood
