Zip-lining through the treetops – Gibbon Experience and a Slow Boat

We left the Busket Hostel, Chiang Rai and took the local bus, costing 110 Baht each (NZ$5.50) to the Thai/Laos land border crossing. The process at the Border of exiting Thailand was straightforward, and we just needed to get our passports stamped.  The next stage was to get our Laos ‘Visa on arrival’, so we grabbed the forms (completed them), handed them back with US$40 each and ‘hey presto’ we had a 30 day Laos visa – we also had to pay an extra US$2 each to cover weekend working!!!

We stayed at the ‘Little Hostel’ in Huay Xai, which was run by ‘Nok’, a lovely Lao lady.  The village itself was very small, but it had great local food – and on our last night we were invited in to an elderly gentleman’s home/garage to sample his homemade whiskey (for free).  After finishing off 2 bottles of ‘teak and honey’ infused whiskey (aka Happy Water) we purchased an extra 3 bottles for a total of 60,000 Kip (NZ$6).  

The reason we visited Huay Xai was because of two delayed (due to Covid) ‘bucket list’ items that we have wanted to do in Laos; the Gibbon Experience and the 2 day slow boat down the Mekong River.

Gibbon Experience External weblink – Only one word is necessary, AMAZING.  We started our 3 day experience with a video briefing in the office, before being driven for 2 hours (including 45 minutes on a sketchy dirt track) and then we started our journey by zip-lining. The first was 230 metres with a 100 metre drop, before climbing up to take further zip-lines to get to our ‘home’ for the next 2 days in the honeymoon treehouse (well it is our 33rd anniversary shortly). At 1630 we arrived at our private treehouse, that you could only gain access and exit via a further zip lines. 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner was made for us in the local village and a lady zip-lined in, with all the cooked food – all leftovers were tossed over the edge for the local wildlife (there was sooo much food to eat).  We were also given a bottle of plum wine and half a bottle of home made whiskey to celebrate our anniversary.

Over the next two days we heard the Gibbons ‘morning chorus multiple times’ between 0600 and 0800, and we were so lucky to actually see them.  Then it was back to more zip lines (with Alan doing over 50 zip-lines over 2 days), including one that was 425 metres long – External weblink video and visiting other treehouses where larger groups stayed.  All to quickly it was over and we were headed back to Huay Xai.

Slow Boat – So we boarded the ‘Slow boat’, for the two day journey (8 hours, followed by 6 hours), covering approx 200 km on the Mekong River to Luang Prabang – with an overnight stop in Pak Beng.  The boat itself was approx 50 metres long, with seating taken old buses, accommodating 100 people (although it was only half full). 

The scenery was fantastic, and it was great seeing how the Thai/Lao locals live on the river – including (unfortunately) the pollution.  The captain of the boat had to navigate narrow channels through rocks (including submerged rocks), sand bars and swirling eddies.  This was definitely a ‘chill out’ time for us, catching up on Netflix, sorting photos, writing this blog, taking in the sights and drinking the ‘home made whiskey’ acquired the night before – plus trying to get some sleep.  

The time on the boat is now complete, and we have arrived in Luang Prabang.