Charly's Birthday Eve!

We woke up and it was again a scortcher, so we decided to head out for a long walk to the local caves where the locals hid during the bombings. It was sweltering and although not far, felt like a long way.

I think not

The mekong

Tricky crossing

Entrance into the caves

Caves

Chris

Chris crossing the river

We made it, crossed the River, and went up into The Caves. It was pretty interesting to think of the community that used to effectively live in here, so not to get blown up by US bombs.

Boy swimming

Locals trying to cross (and falling) in river

Mmmm Turkey

We headed back and about half way stopped at a restaurant. It was pretty local, but the lady was nice and the food edible. After our feed, Charly seemed to be kidnapped to help the lady write her new sign for her guesthouse, and we asked if there was anywhere to swim nearby. Surprisingly, she said yes and led Pierre and I down through the woods and to a stream that was nice and brown. We decided that as we were really hot this was ‘good to go’ and Pierre headed back to get the others. I made my way in and just got through the VERY strong current to find a nice pool the other side. Kara turned up, and then Pierre informed me that Charly was busy at work on the sign!

Cooling off

We enjoyed the cool off and running the rapids until I collided with a big rock and got a dead leg. Charly finally made it and recalled the events of her kidnapping and slave labour. We all splashed about for a bit longer before deciding to head back. When we got back to the restaurant we met Andy and Steve who asked us to join them for a beer, who were we to say no, so we had a refreshing Lao Beer before headingback for showers.

My first candle on Birthday Eve!

We went back to the nice restaurant from the night before and consumed several Lao Lao (local fire water made from Sticky rice) Mojitos and some more yummy food and Charly got her first birthday candle (as it was her birthday in The Easter Island and Japan already!) Big day tomorrow!

Charly's Birthday Eve!

Nong Khiaw, Laos