day 30.... and 30 years old, kamu continued

the surrounding rice terraces

crack shots with the bamboo crossbows

kamu tribe girl at the local village... quite shy

slowly the kids warmed up

someone was even tempted to put a few in her pocket

their dad's certainly seemed keen

off to try our hand at fishing... nadda

morning treks up to the mountain top rice fields

taking a break in the field hut

view down to the Mekong

remnants of the jungle that once was... slash and burn

making our way back down through last years fields

back to base camp and 90 degree heat

day 29 ............ mingling with the hill tribes

heading out on our ferry up the Mekong river

our tour guide plus two

arriving at pak ou cave

stairs up into cave

7000 buddhas and a couple dozen bats awaited our arrival

view out to the Mekong

3 hours later we arrive at kamu lodge

boutique tents... as rough as we get

heading to lunch

and shoveling it down

napping through the last hours of 20 something

finally nightfall arrives

as do ALL the bugs

and a little birthday "cake" too