Firstly and again, thank you to everyone who supported our cause whether through donations, sharing, helping to organize logistics and contacts etc.
Special mentions:
The Malibayphit family (Vongsamay, Thippaphone, Luna. Nana and Angela) of the Sainamhai Resort for all your help and support over the years, without you this certainly wouldn't be possible! Not only did you help to find the schools to visit each year via the Education Departments in the Provinces, but you also donated gifts, books, food and drinks to help make these day so magical for all involved.
Martin Momoda, creator of momobooks, an inspiration project to create language learning resources for many countries. You passion and dedication to bringing knowledge to the people of these countries is truly inspiring. The world needs more people like you!
Steve C Canyon (aka Little Chris) of Motorcycle Tours Laos for coming to Laos so many years ago and planting the seed, the idea of Riding Laos for Good Causes. Your support and guidance over the years has been invaluable and we are so happy to call you our friend. GET UP AND RIDE!
Amarin (aka Mr Moto) for looking after our bikes each year and keeping them safe and sound awaiting our annual bash where we often bring them back broken and battered :) You the man!
Jamie and EDF Laos (Educational Development Fund) for helping us to get the books for the party, you made it so easy for us and it was fantastic meeting you. We applaud the works you are doing here and are so excited for the future of the Laos people with the vital help provided by your orginisation.
Hasse (Friend of Steve C Canyon) and your neighbor for helping us to purchase and register the bikes initially to get us on our way. You're a good man and we look forward to catching up again one day!
Reed Resnikoff (from Asian Motorcycle Adventures in Chiang Mai Thailand) for sharing your wisdom and knowledge of the Thai landscape and culture. You planted the seed for us so many years ago and gave us the "Riding Bug" as well as letting us take your KLX 250's solo cross border for the month so many years ago. We wish you all the best in your retirement and a long and happy life.
Mariella (Back home looking after our special little boy Mason) for looking after everything at home as well as keeping in touch and letting us share our travels with Mason. We love you heaps and look forward to getting home to see you both again.
Last but certainly not least, The friends we have met along the way (You know who you are :D) and the people of Laos and Thailand for always being so warm and welcoming, you are a big part of why we love to keep coming back to this beautiful region.
OK, now the good stuff!
We started the morning loading the van at the Sainamhai resort after Vongsamay had picked up some officials from the Education department and some lovely villagers from the Namsanam village to help organise and make the day so special. Thippahone (Vongsamay's Wife) had prepared Fried Rice, Steamed Chicken and Sticky Rice for the villagers and children to keep everyone fed and happy.
Some Lao Lao for the celebrations :)
2015 Book Party Group :)
Off we went for the 30 km drive to the Ban Oh village just north of the Kong Lor Caves. The minivan was loaded to the brim and proved a challenging yet amusing drive to the village.
Mr Vongsamay at the helm :)
When we arrived at the village school, we were greated by the Headmaster, Teachers and head of the Village with a very warm welcome and many Kop Jai Lai Lai's (Thank you's).
Chris talking to the school teachers, headmaster and education department with Vongsamay translating
The Headmaster giving a speech thanking us all for our efforts
The head of the village giving thanks
The lady from the education department giving thanks
Presenting books for the Education Department
Presenting the books to the school for the teachers
Below are some of the photos from the party, so many happy children with some new tools to help and inspire them on the journey of learning and development.
After presenting the books we said farewell to the children digging into their lunch in the classrooms before heading to the Village to have lunch and a baci ceremony at the head villagers house.
The kids enjoying their lunch :)
Pre Baci ceremony drinks and food
The lovely girls who helped bring this all together
Boys out the back cooking a Laap Dish (Minced meat with chilli and greens)
Baci Ceremony
Ok getting really drunk now :P
An amazing day with some amazing people, can't contain the excitement from such a wonderful experience. I wish you could have all been here with us, words cannot truly describe.
The old village school building
New village school building
Lots of smiled on they way back to the resort, what a day!
We will be editing the video footage from the Book Party and proceeding baci ceremony in the village and posting this in the coming days, so many smiles and great memories!
Tomorrow Vongsamay is taking us for a special tour of the local Hydro Electric Power Plant and dam which we are really excited about. Whilst we have been to Hoover Dam in Arizona/Nevada, this is a much more sophisticated setup and has some equally impressive views. So excited! Time for some more Beer Lao and Lao Lao
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