SALSA - Grade 8 Trip

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Pakse and Southern Laos November 2012

Grade 8 took part in truly wonderful trip in an amazing part of Laos. Despite our 4am start enthusiasm was high for our southern Laos adventure. Our tour centered around the southern city of Pakse. We began by learning about the economy of southern Laos including a detailed look at coffee production of the Bolaven plateau, it was a breathtaking place to start and the students displayed great bravery trekking and were rewarded with a refreshing swim under a waterfall. Day two gave the students a look at what is a growing industry in Laos, Eco-tourism.    

Another highlight was a visit to a small village school where the students played games and gave short English classes to the warm friendly people we met there. The itinerary was so packed that many students were happy to be able to sit on a bus between adventures! Wat Phou was a rare moment for us to stop and relax in the tranquility and beauty of Laos, some students quietly prayed while others sat and watched the sunset, as an exhausted teacher it was my personal highlight.

As well as studying the economy of southern Laos the students were expected to give presentations on various important topics including local wildlife, people and customs and the history of the amazing area we were in. Days three and four we took to the boats and our river Mekong adventure began, picnics and swimming on remote islands, cycling through rural villages and kayaking to see rare and endangered   dolphins. Such good fun, the students loved it. All in all the students had a great adventure, lots of activity, lots of mud, lots of water, lots of fun and lots of making friends in a really beautiful part of the world, a real learning journey.