Back to Earth

Back to Huay Xia, Laos

The Gibbon Experience -- though, in actuality, a “Gibbonless” Experience – was nonetheless fantastic! The tourist excursions began a decade ago in response to the rampant hunting and extermination of the indigenous gibbon population.  The meat, apparently, is considered a delicacy.  In the beginning, the very poachers responsible for the hunting were recruited as guides in an attempt to stem the tide and replace their illicit income.  Sadly, today, only a single troupe is said to roam the heavily forested hillsides.

The weather for our two-day trip was absolutely ideal.  We slept like babes on padded mats with cubical-like, fabric mosquito nets around each one.  I stood looking out over the forest, early in the morning listening to the hoot – hoot, hoot – hoot of unseen birds.  

Treehouse main floor

At 6:30, we heard the high pitched whirring as “X-man,” our guide, zipped onto the lower deck of the tree house to join the fifteen of us. The plan was for a circuit of four zip lines before breakfast.  Each zip line, stretching between three and six football fields, was a total blast -- gathering speed, flying past the nearby trees, then soaring out above the canopy and enjoying views down the narrow valley before sailing into the trees again and onto a small platform on the other side.  It never got old. 

After a much appreciated breakfast featuring the ever present sticky rice, we spent the rest of the morning zipping our way out of the hills and hiking through the towering bamboo stands and vine covered, tropical trees. By 12:30, we were back to earth for the final phase of the trip, a bone jarring, hour and half ride to town in the back of another pickup truck.  

Banana trees and ubiquitos blue plastic bags

Dex, Sam, and Felice

It was a unique and fabulous experience that we will remember for a lifetime.  Even better, was how well the group bonded during our short time together.  Not wanting the “party” to end, we all met this evening for a last meal before scattering our separate ways.  Fantastic. Next stop, Luang Prabang.

Anouk and Tim

Janina, Jana, Katja, and Sarah

Andy and Meg