Nuoc Mooc Eco trail

After a delicious lunch of chicken and fried rice, as if the Paradise caves were not enough of an adventure, and after being told we MUST put on our "bathers", we take a little walk to the source
of the Nuoc Mooc stream, an underground river.



If you look closely you can just see the bubbling up of the water. The British Caving Society has planted little floats in many water elements around the area trying to figure out its source. One such came from 6 km away.


The water is that lovely blue/green caused by the alkalinity of the Calcium dissolved in the acidic water. ( I saw it first in Lao a few years ago at a place called the Blue Lagoon where I went for a swim after a healthy hike up to see a Buddha in a cave.)
After a bit of a hike over bamboo bridges and rocky paths we came to our swimming hole...hence the "bathers"



Not to be outdone by all those young folks, all with our little rolls of extra hips, (I am the senior participant on this particular tour),
I head into the stream with the others and climb and jump off the rock on the opposite side.






As one in the party had said earlier,"I didn't travel 10,000 miles to NOT get in the water" It actually wasn't very cold, a few degrees below the air- High 60s low 70s?? It was delightfully refreshing. Swimming fairy vigorously I was able to stand still against the current! Fortunately (maybe after losing someone) there is a long rope across the river to grab on to. (Mary opts out, she's not into exercise much and only likes hikes where the path is level and cleared of rocks)
Then forward to a kayak adventure:
Alison and Terry lead the group


Todd and Jennifer are up for it, while Don stays back to record events.


Without cameras we climb into leaky yellow kayaks and head for a secret cave not far away. This cave was discovered by one of the Farmstay guides, so far they are the only group to do this bit of the adventure. Once inside we switch on our headlamps and proceed into the darkness under a vast dome of dripping rock. For the brave among us, a narrow tight circular passage through oozy thick mud is offered. Knowing my previous bouts with claustrophobia, I opt IN. The mud felt marvelous and although the passage had a couple of stalagmites under which we passed, and two sharp and narrow corners, I'm very happy I did it. It was a bit warmer in the cave, but feeling chilled I decided against the swim across the cave and headed back to the kayak with our trusty guide Patrick for some warm soup and rum shots.





Mawt, Hai, Baa, Zoo


One, two, Three Cheers!
-On the road with Kathryn