On to Houhyxai, Laos

Or in English, Hway-Sai.   A small town farther North in Laos, still along the Mekong River.  We took the overnight sleeper bus but many travelers take the two day slow boat up the Mekiong with an overnight in a village only accessed via the river.

Our first night was in a new hotel, apparently Chinese built and we were about the only customers.  Room with no air, television barely worked with one fan.  But it was $11.00.  I have read Chinese are trying to get their money out of country so are building lots of commercial units nearby.  My bet is this is an example of it.  Nevermind if it is a positive cash flow today....its about preserving wealth with a non-predictable government.   Just my guess.  At any rate we see lots of construction with little demand for more hotel rooms.

While in this town Denyse did the "GibbonExperience" which is a "Theme Park" in the forest.  French run under license includes sleeping in tree houses and lots of zip lines from tree house to tree house.  I elected to stay in town.  She really enjoyed it...I wouldn't.







I couldn't copy a photo so here is the link:

http://www.asien.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bokeo-laos-gibbon-experience.jpg

http://www.gibbonexperience.org/

At the same time I did some CFP review and....

a young desk clerk at the second nicer hotel asked if I would visit his Business English class.  I did so, riding the back of his scooter to the campus, talking about myself, US and world geography etc as the teacher said he just wanted the student to hear a native English speaker.  One class was second year students....second class was first year students who I don't believe got much out of it.  Pretty much like a comunity college campus with freshman or sophomores.

They were all very nice and it was a nice experience for a half day.

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