A few days in a Treehouse.....

So after an amazing time in Chiang Mai, meeting good friends, having some great times, and enjoying a pretty chill town, I made my way to Laos to do the Gibbon Experience.  The Gibbon Experience is an organization that wanted to take care of a national conservation area that the government couldn't afford to take care of, that found Gibbons living in the area, which was a pretty big deal as they were thought to be extinct in the area.  The area is pretty massive, and only 75 Gibbons are thought to be in the area, so conservation of the environment there is pretty key.

To help stimulate funds, a french dude set up a tourism site in one small sector that has people use ziplines to cross canyons, and has people sleep in treehouses 150 feet high only accessed by ziplines.  The project is super cool, similiar to what I want to set up in ideals, and is a great time.  The ziplines are amazing, as you zip through lots of bamboo jungle and just get great views of all of the forest and the treehouses are great, just beautifully set up with water, and guides and cooks that deliver meals to you.  It was amazing and definitely a highlight in my trip, and i met some great people along the way as well.  I met a girl who was an english teacher for the guides who gave me some great insight into the project and the local guides, who were unbelievably amazing and sweet.  The people in Laos just seemed so caring and sweet, and I loved every second of it.  I will definitely post some pictures as soon as I get back....sadly that's Sunday, so expect them soon.

So after doing that, I made my way back to Thailand, to another town in the north, Chiang Rai.  It's like a smaller version of Chiang Mai, and a bit homelier.  It was a bit intimidating getting there solo as i couldn't find one person who spoke any english or read any english and my hostel address and name were both in english.  After a bit of confusion and some good directions from the local rasta bar, I found my hostel, and walked into a great surprise, my friend Brian from Chiang Mai staying in the same hostel.  A great surprise and a great way to end the trip, with a good friend and a new city.   So i got 2 more days, one in Chaing Mai and one in Bangkok, and I'm out.  I'll be home soon with lots of pics and lots of stories, but definitely wish I could have more time to do more.  SE Asia has been great, but definitely think I'll need a return trip....