Day Four (14/10/2024): Islands and islands and islands....... ( La Folie Lodge)

 To start the day a few of us decided to walk around the road circumnavigating the island - Don Daeung. We passed the usual array of busy chickens, noisy motor bikes with varying numbers of occupants, grazing cows,  busy women and school children. 

The monks from the temple were walking along the road in single file holding their alms bowls. As it is a small village and temple there were only a few monks and novice monks but a number of villagers carefully placed rice in their bowls.

One little girl, dressed in school uniform of blue skirt and white top, carried a very flash hot pink handbag as she confidently walked ahead of of us checking to see if we were following. Once we reached the school she climbed under a barbed wire fence rather than through the front gate and waited to see if we would follow. Clearly Kim and I were not prepared to risk the barbed wire or the low fence so we parted company.

After the waterfall extravangaza yesterday the guide was in danger of being lynched if he suggested any more today. There is a limit in how many one can appreciate in a short space of time! We negotiated limiting it to one (which was much more impressive than any of yesterdays). Devoid of tourists and risky stairs it was much more enjoyable. 

We spent the day using the boat, tuk tuks and van to explore a few islands of the SiPhan Don, the Mekong River's 4000 Islands area, on the southernmost tip of Laos.

On the other side of the Mekong was the northern border of Cambodia.

As you would expect there are remnants of the French occupation including bridges and a disused 9 kilometre railway line traversing a couple of the islands.

The challenges of avoiding falling into the Mekong or the mud were considerable whilst alighting and departing the 'boat' but we managed with help. The current in the Mekong is very strong yet the depth around the Islands is less than 2 metres and in the dry season can get down to 50cms. Whatever the depth you wouldn't want to fall in as you would definitely be swept away!

The tuk tuks were fun and comfortable but as on all of the roads so far the goats , water buffalo and cows made journeying tricky! We've had quite a few conversations about cows/cattle after Jenny observed yesterday that they all seem to be male.  The ensuing conversations (including using the internet for further information!) simply resulted in more confusion about what you call a male cow. It would be fair to say that we demonstrated a complete lack of knowledge about anything bovine and we could be accused of being 'townies'. However now we find ourselves carefully observing every cow and it's become something of an obsession!( I couldn't find any photos of cows but you will know what they look like!)

The sights along the River change all of the time as do the mountains that surround it. The diversity of the trees and plants and the incredible lushness of the forests would have put off any invaders such as the French, except that the many indigenous tribes have been clearing the growth and farming successfully for years. No wonder the French were so keen to create IndoChina when they arrives in 1898 so they could enjoy the benefits of the wide range of resources and the hard work of the Laotians.

The Li Phi falls were spectacular with a couple of swing bridges which we decided weren't for us : the heat, humidity, cost and the not-very-attractive prospect of hanging over a raging river were responsible.  You will be surprised to hear that no one showed any interest in the zipline adventures again!

We lunched overlooking one of the old French railway bridges joining two of the islands. Cycling across the bridge seemed to be the pastime of small children and backpackers silly enough to be exercising in the heat of midday.

The food has been great and a lot less spicy than other places so far. Although it's hard to tell if we get the less chili version because of our age and/or ethnicity or whether the food is actually not spicy for everyone.

The journey home in the van consisted of much napping and not a lot of conversation. We all ordered huge fresh lime sodas and fell into the pool as soon as we got to the Lodge. Then it was off to the spa for massages and facials: pure luxury. Jan and Kerryn went for the more adventurous 8 hands massage as there were two masseurs for each of them. They were impressed!

I set off for a facial and was a bit astonished that it started with a foot massage! The tray with the elements that were going to be used on my face looked like dinner: honey, yoghurt, oats, almonds, tamarind etc. My face feels wonderful but I was happy to go to dinner!

After a very isolated and quiet existence here we're off to the big smoke of Luang Prabang tomorrow. Can't wait.

your pampered and moisturised correspondent