Gibbon Experience!

I had been totally amped about the Gibbon Experience ever since hearing about it in Korea from my neighbours Peter and Ruth. A fantastic conservation program set up to protect the rain forest and Gibbons. Eight people at a time kick off the journey from from the small town of Hoi Xaiy in northern Laos and travel for a few hours by truck to a sleepy Laos village on the boarder of gibbon central. We all march through thick rain forest, deep into the jungle for several hours a day, keeping an eye out for giant squirrels. black bears, sluses and birds.But the best part about the trekking are the infamous zip lines placed throughout the trek at strategic points to get across valleys and to access the tree houses high up in the canopy. Our guides spoke very little English but managed to demonstrate the zip technique and give us mind boggling directions in high pitched tones; "Go straight, zip zip, no go left, up up, no zip, left, zip zip!" The crew consisted of Myself and buddy Peter from Canada, Mark, Tim, Mandy, Liam and Patrick from Australia and expat American Vietnam war vet Timbo. The first day was outrageous zip zip carnage! Making the most out of our unlimited access to the zip lines we all stormed around the circuits, barley containing our squeals of delight, scaring away the gibbons as 7 grown men, giggle like school girls through the jungle whilst attached to a zip line 100 m in the air. We all cooled off in a perfect swimming hole and waterfall before eating a great dinner of veges and rice, drinking Laos coffee and playing cards late into the night. The next day we awoke to the haunting calls of Gibbons - which is one of the creepiest sounds I have ever heard. Like a high pitched wailing and warbling echoing over the canopy and misty valleys.At 6am we hiked around a step route desperately trying to spot the elusive Gibbons, but alas we didn't see zip.We hiked out of the jungle on the second day and a few of us hardcore zippers dashed off for a few more zips and swims in the waterfall. Gibbon Experience 2008! Great fun, amazing people and excellent memories, DO IT!