Author Archives: Inspired Adventures

And climb we did…Trek for a Helping Hand

Posted on by
Reply

Wed 9 May 2012: After a night of very loud thunder rolling around the valley below us and at times above us, plus very heavy rain which at times I thought our grass roof would not survive, our early start this morning was a blessing. We started off in light rain and walked for 30 mins to reach a river crossing where we swapped boots for sandals before crossing – there’s nothing worse than wet socks to trek in. From there we began an uphill hike and choose almost any means possible to get to the top including hijacking a local to show us the way.

The group split but not intentionally… One guide took the high path and the other the low path, we met an hour later comparing notes – both had climbed and climbed and climbed but we’d made it and now we had 2kms til lunch!

Lunch was brief before setting off again to do the last 8kms of the day. The rain kept teasing us but stayed away but we were all thankful for the cloud cover and the beauty the mist spread over the valleys below. The day ended steeply down hill with us wishing we all had metal trays to take us down it. Instead we trudged slowly down the mountain side to the village of Thon Kho Muong; a idyllic setting on the river where approx 200 families live. Our home stay for the night was gorgeous and as with the tradition everywhere, we were given rice wine on arrival – 100% proof!

We were also treated to fries and a delicious meal of pumpkin soup, fish, pork, chicken and veggies – all wonderful!

Now it’s time for some more zzz before we hit the track again tomorrow for our last marathon walk of another 20kms and a visit to a local market enroute too.

Best words on the trip so far (in order):

  1. We’re here
  2. We’re half way
  3. It’s down hill

Best one liner:

“Been there done that, where’s the chopper?”

Best question/answer with the Tour Leader:

Is it far? Yes.
Is it uphill? Yes.
Is it downhill? Yes.
Are we there yet? No.

And the worst response from the Tour Leader:

“… It’s just around the corner.”

Helen
Good Beginnings ‘Trek for a Helping Hand’ – Vietnam

Team Good Beginnings, Vietnam Trek: Kookaburras, kids and canoes!

Posted on by
Reply

Team Good Beginnings ‘Trek for a Helping Hand’

Tuesday 8 May 2012: Greeted this morning by 5 gorgeous puppies sitting on the steps of our room (all of which I’d adopt if I could!). We had breakfast and set off at 7:30am for what turned out to be a 20km trek through stunning scenery of silver limestones cliffs contrasted by bright green lush terraces of rice and fields of corn. Every part of this country is used for agriculture even to the point that houses are built thin and tall so as not to use up too much valuable land.

En route to our lunch stop we called in at a primary school; the children were ecstatic to see us, excitedly jumping around and laughing. We sung them a song – “Kookaburra sits in the Old Gumtree” (of course) and in return they sang us two songs too – just adorable. After posing for a photo or 3, we left them waving us good bye. They probably won’t see another western group for another 6 months.

After a lunch time break where I watched our guide cut my new sim card to size with a machete. We then enjoyed a boat ride in an open canoe down a small stretch of the River Ma. Jumping out on to a high bank we rejoined the path for a further 8km to reach our overnight stop. These last 2 hours were tough, by 3pm the sun is scorching hot here and we were walking in the high 30s with 90% humidity. The group pressed on – we were walking along the old weapons transportation route and our slow pace was filled with story stops from our very knowledgable guide about how the Viets now remember the war, or ‘conflict’ as some call it. He explained,

“…if you cannot forgive you forget, if you cannot forget you forgive…”

He didnt need to say anymore.

We finally arrived at our overnight stop by 5:30pm, we were all spent. Our planned ‘Congo’ dance into the village didn’t quite happen (although I’m sure it, or another happy dance will on Friday), but this overnight stop seemed to have taken an age to reach due to the sun being so exhausting today. There are a few blisters in sight now, but the group is still up for a laugh and tonight was spent recalling the day highs. Tomorrow brings a harder, 18km trek so we’ve decided to head out early at 6:30am to try and avoid the late afternoon sun. As a result, the group are all asleep already so I guess it’s time for me to throw a few ZZzzzz in the air myself. Good night.

Helen
Good Beginnings ‘Trek for a Helping Hand’ – Vietnam

Trek for a Helping Hand – Feisty Five do 22 km in Vietnam

Posted on by
1

Team Good Beginnings ‘Trek for a Helping Hand’

Monday 7 May, 2012: An early start this morning saw the feisty five leave the village of Mai Chai at 7:30am for our trek out of the village and up onto the ridge. It was a steep climb in high humidity and intense sunshine but we took it slowly as we peered down on the paddy fields below. Applause was given all round at the top as well as a well-earned rest and a try of some local snacks too.

What goes up must come down and down through the jungle we went; slipping and sliding our way to our lunch stop in the small village of Te. Lunch consisted of a chicken leg, whole cucumber, a duck’s egg and a whole loaf of bread each! It all went down very well. We then rested up for a while as the thunder and rain decided to arrive from Hanoi. Fortunately the down pour didn’t last long and we were on our way for the next 10 km hike. It was hot but the scenery spectacular and we were entertained by the Vietnamese version of the local school ‘Volvo’ run… Parents on scooters with up to 3 children on the back.

22kms after we started we finally arrived at our home stay for the night in the village of Ban Buoc having passed a beautiful scene of baby water buffalo feeding nearby. We were greeted with a welcome party of puppies and a very friendly home owner who asked if we wanted a beer to which Chris replied in her best Aussie slang… ‘Bloody oath yeah!’ After a few minutes, our luggage arrived on the coach and Carly made us all laugh with her cooling down comment saying it’s only 4 hours back to the Intercontinental on that thing…. And Looking over at me she added, and that’s not a joke, at which point we tied her down!

The home stay is lovely and Tuen explained that 3 local travel companies had invested in it to attract the local tourists but it didn’t work so the international visitors use it instead… And we are all very grateful for the lovely soft mattresses we are all currently sitting on now! Tomorrow we are looking forward to a slightly shorter walk of 18kms and a boat ride too, but for now we’re off to dinner.

Helen
Good Beginnings ‘Trek for a Helping Hand’ – Vietnam