Thakek

Thakek is a city leaning againt the gorgeous Laos mountains. After Dong Deang, our island retreat, we decided to head to Thakek for a three day trek. We dropped most of our belongings at a guesthouse and only took on the trek a few clothes and a toothbrush. We took a dok dok to the trail head, and began our retreat into the beautiful mountainside. First, we visited a much revered cave that contains hundreds of Buddhas. These Buddhas have been there for hundreds of years. The Lao people believe the Thai hid the Buddhas in the cave when they invaded so the Lao couldn't find them. I believe it was the Thai. I may be wrong. The cave is on the side of a sheer cliff, and stairs are necessary to access it. There is just a tiny opening that you crawl through before entering this massive hole filled with stalagmites and Buddhas. The Buddhas were bronze, gold, silver, and wood. The cave was pretty big in size. We were blessed inside the cave by a man who works in it. He wished us a good journey, much luck, and much happiness. Common blessings for travelers. After reentering into the world of sunlight, we really began our trek. The first day we hiked a good distance. Probably only about 3-4 miles, but it took most of the day because we made various stops at lagoons and caves. As we walked closer to the first lagoon more and more butterflies started appearing. Hordes of them. They were fluttering about and just enjoying the day, much like us. At the lagoon we took a dip and had a lunch prepared by our trusted guides. I heard the fish was delicious. Unfortunately I wasn't in the mood for fish. Then we trodded on and came across a tree that produces an oil that can burn. The native people use it to light fires. So we each grabbed a branch and stuck it in the thick black muck and when we came across the next cave we were able to light them and use torches as our source of light. It was a very cool look, but we forgot that in a closed space fire sucks out the oxygen, so it was difficult to breathe. Bo pen nung. No worries. This one cave we visited was one of the highlights for me. I described it as being in God's mouth. The cave was enormous. Probably six stories high, and a half mile long. As I lied on the ground and stared up at the roof of the mouth I felt a sense of peace. Feeling small is a very humbling experience in my opinion. The cave also had a small lake. The water was very cold and still. It was a very cool hangout. Then, after walking through tobacco fields, we reached our destination. We were to stay at a local village for the night. We had our first basi ceremony that night. A basi ceremony is an intricate blessing of sorts. The villagers prepare an offering with chocolate and eggs on this plate, and then the village elder blesses each person around the circle. We all either have to be touching the plate or the person being blessed to recieve their blessing as well. When you are being blessed you are to hold the egg and chocolate in your hand. After everyone has been blessed, the food is now blessed, and everyone is supposed to eat the blessed food. It was very nice.

The following day we spent exploring around the village. The guides took us to another cave, which went down so far you couldn't see a thing. That day we mainly walked through the jungle. The jungle is thick and seems to always try and eat you so it takes a while to get anywhere. We had a delicious lunch in the jungle, again cooked by our amazing guides. And when I say delicious, I mean we got cooked corn on the cob and sticky rice. I never knew corn could taste so good. I want to go a little in depth on one of our guides, because he was a character. His name is Mr. Me. Seriously. He is maybe 5 foot. And every time we would eat he would say the simple phrases he has picked up in English, such as eat more eat more, don't stop don't stop. Again, he was a character. Then while enjoying the coolness the forest provided, we played a few games of mofia. Good team bonding. That night I learned how to play Eucker, a complicated card game with many rules, but it's very fun.

On our final day we hiked a long ways. We hiked through the jungle for the most part, and our final destination was this village in the middle of nowhere. During the hike the group got to talk and really get to know each other which was nice. I feel that on trips like these students reach a point of friendship, but it's more superficial than deep. Walking always sparks good conversations. After a few hours, we reached the village. It was so odd. We were in the middle of the Laos jungle, and then it clears and the village is totally bare. They cut down all the trees to make their village, so the ground is jsut dirt and the houses were made of cement. It looked so out of place. Considering is was scorching outside, we were all very joyful when we got to ride a dok dok to the well known blue lagoon. It was gorgeous. The water was a color blue that I haven't even seen in Hawaii. So clear and turquoise. And is was so refreshing. It was such a pretty spot. Our tase buds also got to enjoy banana sticky rice. That snack is sticky rice smashed with banana and wrapped inside a banana leaf. It is really a treat. Ready to leave, we trekked on after getting back to the village and made it to our final scenic spot, the rapids. It's a spot in the river where the rapids are pretty bid, but you can lay on the rocks and let the water wash over you. Since it's the dry season, the water isn't strong enough to wash you away. So refreshing.

Our first trek was a great sucess and the group is very excited for upcoming ones.