 Our trek starts out in the rice fields near Luang Nam Tha. Our new "family" includes Alex from Germany and Veronica from Canada |
 With the end of monsoons in north Laos near, harvesting the rice begins. In a few weeks, most people in the town will be hard at work. |
 Taking a needed break from the heat, we talk with a Hmong father and his 11 children |
 After visitng the Hmong village, we begin our ascent into the jungle. After 3 days of rain and a very steep terrain, the going is slow and difficult |
 Butterfly convention along the trail |
 Paul waits for the gang before proceeding deeper into the jungle |
 Crossing the many small streams in the Nam Ha. Checking for leeches became a prerequiste in this area |
 A green poisonious snake slumbers on the trail |
 Lunch time on the trail. Eggplant with chilies and sticky rice, fresh bamboo and green beans and stir fried morning glory served on a makeshift banana leaf table |
 After a filling lunch, Carrol is ready to tackle more uphill terrain. |
 We nicknamed this area, "Ski Laos", because the slippery clay trail and steep terrain required a similar balance and approach as if skiing. |
 Peter, Paul, To (our lead guide), Veronica and Alex wait across a small ravine |
 Assistant guide Tha, points out a termite hill and places a leaf for good travelling on the mound |
 A Hmong woman bundles harvested rice as the sun begins to set. |
 Our guides play Tak Cor, the Laos national game, below our hut. Peter and Paul have become very good at this game. |
 The village gave each person a handicraft gift, which is displayed by a Hmong woman. |
 Alex gets hilltribe fashion consultation |
 Therese and Veronica sample silk worms with a smile |
 A Peter and Alex engineered raft with a bottled message has a successful launch down the river |
 Laundry day on the trail |
 This Akha village high in the Nam Ha was our day two destination. |
 This young Akha woman, carrying her baby, still wears the traditional headdress. |
 Our exceptional guides, To and Tha, take a well deserved break after a long uphill on day 3. |
 Trekkers Peter and Paul display big smiles after eluding a King Cobra on day 3. |