Journey into the Jungle

After enjoying the luxurious conveniences of the first world in Australia, we returned to Cambodia to take a trip into the jungle.  From Phnom Penh, we drove eight hours to reach the far northeast province of Ratanakiri.  There we met the guides who led us on our adventure.

Our first stop was the island village of Koh Pheap, where we observed the huts and daily activities of rural people who live along the Sesan River.  We were also invited to join in an ongoing funeral celebration, where we danced with the villagers around the burial totems.

Dancing at a Koh Pheap funeral

From the village, we took a one-hour boat ride.  That sounds relaxing, but unfortunately it's not.  The boat was similar to a canoe, with a loud, vibrating outboard motor.  Imagine sitting for an hour on a hard, vibrating piece of plywood with an annoying, unending buzzing all around you.  We were quite glad to reach the shore!

Boat Ride on the Sesan River

After leaving the boats, we hopped on mountain bikes and rode for two hours along bumpy, dusty trails.  In some places, the trail was so dry that the dirt had literally turned to sand, in which case we had to walk our bikes through.  Although I'm not a skilled mountain biker, it was fun to conquer the rough terrain.  All of our butts paid the price though.

Jeremy and Erin showcasing their biking skills

Our reward at the end was the camp, where we ate dinner and rested for the evening.  We also got to sleep in hammocks, which were surprisingly more comfortable than I thought they'd be.

Our guide Sam with Erin, Erica, and Jeremy

The next morning, the guides woke us at 4:00 am.  After quick cups of tea and coffee, we set off walking into the jungle.  Our goal was to see gibbons in their natural habitat in the jungle.  Our guide eventually slowed, listening to the jungle around him.  Then he set off quickly in a new direction and we scurried to follow him.  For the next half an hour, we were literally tearing through the jungle, getting tangled in vines, snagging our pants on the thorny brush, trying to keep up with the guide as he went deeper and deeper into the jungle and closer and closer to the gibbons.  Finally, the guide stopped and pointed up into the trees.  I saw nothing except branches and leaves, until eventually my eyes captured movement and registered the shape of a gibbon high up in the canopy.  For at least 30 minutes, we watched as a family of gibbons - mom, dad, baby, and two adolescents - played, groomed, and swung in the trees.  It was really quite a sight, and worth the journey into the jungle.

Gibbon mother with baby