A Life-changing adventure in Laos and Thailand
by Ariel Daborn, Imogen Crane and Jessica Fursman
Over the past holidays, a group of current year 11 and 12 students were given the amazing opportunity to go Laos and Thailand for just over three weeks.
During our stay in Pakkeng village, we built toilet blocks in the school. While we stayed with the local families, we were able to connect and engage with the cultural practices and community there - taking part in the baci ceremony, cooking classes and playing soccer with the school kids in our downtime. We also were able to conduct various science-based school lessons for them. What made the trip truly special was the connections we made, friendships that transcended language, lifestyles and cultural differences.
Many of us felt anxious about the trek, however, the beautiful views and caring tour guides made it much easier. At night we stayed in villages with local families, and enjoyed many traditional meals for our lunches and dinner. We started early every morning; in total we trekked about 7-14km. The jungle and villages we trekked through were beautiful and nothing like you see in Perth. Although it was hot, sweaty and tiring, it was an unforgettable experience. Everyone supported each other and came out the other end feeling accomplishment and proud of themselves!
Throughout the expedition, we were able to view many breathtaking sites, enabling us to grasp the nature and history of both Laos and Thailand. One of our favourite attractions were the beautiful waterfalls, especially the Kuang Si Waterfall in Laos with its turquoise water. Temples were another highlight with each showcasing the culture of either country. The White Temple in Thailand was an incredible experience as we viewed the intricate infrastructure of the large buildings while also immersing ourselves into its history. However, our favourite thing to see was definitely the night markets as this was an opportunity for us to try local street food and buy souvenirs for our loved ones from the community.
Overall it was an incredible experience and we would all do it again!
