We've just returned from an amazing couple of days trekking in the jungle. So beautiful. There were six people in our group - including our guides Sai & Noi.
We started hiking through rice paddies and along a forested stream before heading into the jungle. Lunch was by the stream, Sai and Noi laid out a feast of Lao food onto leaves on the jungle floor. After lunch the trail lead upstream to the Nam Yen Waterfall - and from the waterfall the trail climed up the mountain to the Akha forest camp of Nam Lai.
The overnight stay was in a large bamboo 'dorm' - where the fire was burning and dinner was cooked. We arrived at 'bathtime' so Michael and I headed down to the well to bathe - sarong style. The water was COLD - but after the jungle it was good to be clean.
The second morning was spent with an Akha guide - as we were walking he would point out different plants that the Akha use for tea, food & medicine. After a lunch prepared with jungle goodies (rattan bamboo soup anyone?) the Akha headed back to the village and we continued our decent.
We ended the day in lowland pastures - trekking through a Black Tai village before heading back into the 'cowboy' town of Luang Nam Tha.