Day 9 - 05:30 came around after about 20 minutes sleep for both of us and multiple mosquito bites for one of us. The blooming net had more holes in it than net but unfortunately one of us is more tasty than the other!

We met another local guide who took us into the jungle again to look and listen to the calls of the creatures. Still half asleep, if you can be after having no sleep, we trekked for about an hour before returning to the village to have breakfast with the same family as last night. More sticky rice, bamboo soup and omelette this time. A 4 month old child joined us who everyone was besotted with so I asked whose child it was. Apparently the chief of the village died a short time ago and the villagers believe the child is the chief reborn!!

After breakfast it was time to set off for the long trek back but via another route. The guide again led us through the local rice fields and then into the jungle. In the jungle, Alice decided instead of climbing down a large rock, she would just take it lying down whilst using her hands as brakes. A bit of claret later, a few plasters and a bit of tape we made do! We trekked for about 1.5 hours before we came to a junction. Down the hill for our final destination or up the hill to go to a viewing spot to see for miles over the jungle. We both thought, down the hill but didn't want to say so Simon piped up and said he didn't mind going to the top. We again trekked off up the hill and when we got there, it was definitely the right decision, what a view!

After about 20 minutes of sitting, taking in the view watching Simon edge closer and closer to the edge until his feet were dangling off the side, we set off on the home stretch to make it to the 'boat landing' as our guide called it.

To get back to our start point we took a boat down the river, a long canoe type vessel with enough room for four people one in front of the other and the driver sitting at the rear with the lawnmower engine again.

After about 45 minutes we were landed and were back in the village where we started the trek some 28 hours earlier. Lunch in the village, yep, sticky rice again with chilli paste, bits of chicken and pork. This set us up nicely for the songthaw ride back to Kiet Ngong and again another 1.5 hours of head hitting the roof and bum falling of the benches!

Once back at the lodge we strode in with a massive sense of achievement to collect the keys for our new pad which was one of the expensive comfort bungalows. Ensuite bathroom and amazing views over the wetlands next door. After relaxing in the hammock for about 30 minutes we spotted what we had wanted to see, some water buffalo making there way across the wetlands. A great way to finish what had been a tough couple of days.

Dinner in the lodge whilst trying to stay awake. All in all a good experience to see Lao life in it's rawest form and to interact with the locals who were established in the 17th century and been in this location since 1940. It really did put life in perspective when you see these villagers living self sufficiently and always having a smile on their faces.