What goes up must come down

Huge fronds!

When you're climbing up a mountain for two plus hours, eventually you have to start descending back down. First, we were treated to a sumptuous lunch of sticky rice, tomato sauces, eggs, and beef. I'm pretty sure while we were eating Gareth said that food tastes so much better when you have to work for it... and it was so true. 

Environmentally friendly plates!

Feast!

We hiked upward for a small period of time before we finally stopped. We paused to take a group of photo before we started heading downward. 

At first, it was calm and peaceful, a long jaunt slanting down the mountain... and then things started getting crazy. I have no idea at what point the trail stopped, but it started with a very narrow path that faced a ravine and never got any better. One slip, and I pictured myself tumbling down a very steep incline. Phoebe tried to comfort me by telling me that I wouldn't fall straight down... that the bamboo trees would break my fall, but at that point, all I could do is grip David Lee's hand in terror.

Oh, you didn't know? I'm terrified of heights. It's not something that comes up. I love epic views but when I'm crawling backward on all fours in the jungle and praying that my foot doesn't slip, and thus, I slip down into brush and wild weeds and death..... I was crying. Whenever I could manage to rest on solid ground, I'd have to stop and weep. It's a nasty sight. Be glad you weren't there.

I hated this man the first day... loved him the second. He was my kayak partner, but for now he just silently watched me panic. 

I remember being so angry at the end. It's really frustrating to look forward and NOT even see a trail. You're just straight up traversing through uncharted ones. Tom said later that he thought we were the first group to do the trek after rainy season. You know that your trek is hardcore when there are no Aussies and Israelis on it as well. 

I finished the trekking portion of our Laotion adventure a full hour after all the boys. Lucas and Tom were playing with fire when we finally arrived at the camp. They are very special.

Thank you, David Lee, for being my rock on this hike. Thank you for letting me hold your hand for two hours. Thanks Phoebe and Monica for being amazing moral support and trying to make me laugh while I was terrified. Thanks for putting up with all my crazy voices and my descent into insanity. This hike was definitely something that I've never done before... and a learning experience indeed. 

.. But there's more! The second day we kayaked!