A reasonable hike back to civilization

Considering the late hour of our revelry the night before we were up at the break of dawn, could it possibly have anything to do with babies waking up and crying below our floor?  While waiting for our tour guides to make us breakfast we entertained ourselves teaching each other local games raning from. Drawn dot game from the Koreans to a crazy card game from the Polish.  I would like to admit at this point I lost everytime in the strategic dot game but won a few times at the card game (lucky in cards, unlucky in love?).  We were so wrapped up in our card game when breakfast came we continued for another 20 minutes until someone finally won, then we pounced on our pancakes and pears. 

Before we know it we are thanking the father of the family and pushing on for another 12 km through the jungle.  Yes this time we begin to leave the rice patties and enter into the bamboo forest and other areas with deeper foliage.  At one point our guide stops us suddenly (always difficult when in the middle of jumping rocks in a huge mud puddle) and starts clapping loudly.  Apparently very large snake in front of us, as my family would say, oh guuuud!  We survived happily. 

Over waterfalls and through streams, into another locals home to see how they live (a huge paradox between mud hut with indoor fire cooking with stereo and television) and finally to a resting place where we can have lunch.  Who do we end up meeting, but our friends from last night.  It takes us no more than 5 minutes of greetings before out comes the playing cards and it is on!

More hiking afterwards (you think tiring to read about it, try being a soft American), but finally at long last our road where we are met by a jeep to take us finally to our hotel.  Looking back from the top of a ridge we can see the distances we hiked and one can not help but be impressed with the distances we can move when motivated for it never seems as long when you are on the trail.  I guess this is why everyone tells you to stand back and look at big picture?

Finally back at hotel now where we each happily collapsed in our beds after a much needed hot shower!  Until next time.