COUNTRY: Laos & Thailand
PROGRAM: Expeditions
PROJECT: Leadership Expedition
WRITTEN BY: Robern Hinchcliffe, Dean of Students, St John's Anglican College
Hello everyone! We are are at at the end of our first week and the team have done, seen and learnt so much. After we left hectic and hot Bangkok we had an overnight train trip to Chang Mai. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the train and we all enjoyed a very spacious sleeper for our overnight trip. Once in Chang Mai the team arranged a bus to get us to Chang Rai. The team enjoyed shopping at the markets and eating local insect delicacies. The team then had a 4 day trek. Our first day of trekking was through thick jungle. Some of the team found this challenging but we all made it. During the trek the team cooled off in the stunning waterfalls along the way.
We stayed in the Lisu village for 2 nights in a traditional bamboo hut. We were treated to a dance show by the local children and the team taught them traditional Australian dances such as the Macarena (well it was all they could think of). We also visited the village coffee plantation, the village source of holy water to receive a blessing and dressed in traditional costumes for our village tour. The visit to the school was a highlight and the team taught the students how to do a rugby line-out (no surprises there). We also enjoyed a community ceremony. >
A highlight for the boys was the purchase of their traditional Lisu velvet pants (it will make it easier to recognise at Brisbane airport in 2 weeks!) On day 3 we hiked to the Ahka village which had more spartan accommodation. We did a village tour in the afternoon. We were treated to a session with the medicine man and purchase village crafts. We purchased fruit tress to plant at the local school and donated some of our fundraising money to purchase food for the village children who live too far away to return home daily so they live in the dormitory. The team played with the children at the school but it soon became apparent that the local children had more energy than our students did. That night we were treated to another traditional dance show and Kisina and Josh dressed as the village chief and his deputy.
On day 4 we trekked downhill to the stunning white temple and then travelled to the border crossing. We spent the night in Huoy Xia. The students heard western music for the first time in a week and had a great time singing in the restaurant. The team immediately identified the more relaxed style of the Lao people. For next two days the team spent on a slow boat to Luang Prabang. The days were long but we played cards, tested each other with riddles (Liam is proving to be a champion at this), read and caught up on sleep.
Last night during our team debrief about the first phase of the trip the students discussed in detail if our culture was luckier. They were also surprised at how warmly and enthusiastically the villagers welcomed us into their homes. The cultural immersion on the trek was an experience that they will never forget. Each one of them has achieved something and overcome personal challenges. You should be very proud of each of them.
We go out to the community project tomorrow. We arrive back in Luang Prabang on Saturday and I will post more facebook photos then.
Robern Hinchliffe,
Dean of Students,
St John's Anglican College
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