We heard through our scuba intstructor of the Gibbon Experience (http://www.gibbonx.org/), where you spend a few days hiking and sleeping in a treehouse 300 feet high in the Bokeo Provence National Forest! We went during the rainy season, so they had trips every other day for only a dozen people at a time. There are 3 tree houses that people get split up into and ours was such a treat! Essentially, we had an international slumber party - complete with Welsh, Aussie, and American girls!
As I mentioned, it was the rainy season, so usually there is a truck that drives you for an hour to the village that is a half-hour hike away from the forest. We were not so lucky. It POURED the night before so there would be no truck for us. That means we got to hike for 5 hours, up and down muddy mountains. The best part for me was within the first hour of our hike, I got 7 blisters on my left foot alone - I got a blister between my toes! Is that even possible?! So I ditched my shoes and walked (or fell) barefoot the rest of the way.
When we got to the village right before the rain forest and saw the locals - it made it completely worth it. There were so many little kids coming out of their houses to see the foreigners just to wave hello.
As I mentioned, it was the rainy season, so usually there is a truck that drives you for an hour to the village that is a half-hour hike away from the forest. We were not so lucky. It POURED the night before so there would be no truck for us. That means we got to hike for 5 hours, up and down muddy mountains. The best part for me was within the first hour of our hike, I got 7 blisters on my left foot alone - I got a blister between my toes! Is that even possible?! So I ditched my shoes and walked (or fell) barefoot the rest of the way.
When we got to the village right before the rain forest and saw the locals - it made it completely worth it. There were so many little kids coming out of their houses to see the foreigners just to wave hello.
The walk after the village seemed easy, with no hills and roots we could use to help from slipping in the mud. A few of us got devoured by leeches, but it's really not too big of a problem since they can only take as much blood as their small bodies can handle.
Then we finally got to our awaiting tree house. It was everything we'd thought it would be - and more. Complete with kitchen, toilet - no handle needed, mosquito net bed coverings, candles for lighting, and zip line entrance (and exit)!
It was great fun zipping around to explore amazing views, waking up early to see and hear the gibbon monkeys rustling through the treetops, and making some great friends along the way!
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