14th May - A slower day with Buffalo and Water Falls

A little bit of a sleep in, as we don't need to be on the road until 9:30.

We are heading out of the city to a Buffalo Dairy, an enterprise set up by an Australian woman who wanted to improve the life of the Laos people, do something different with her life and try something that had only been dabbled in, making cheese with buffalo milk. We are given morning tea, a tasting plate of different Buffalo milk products, such as Yogurt, Feta, etc. Overall the cheeses were not too bad. Not as salty as their milk counterparts but that is the decision of the cheese maker not something dictated by the buffalo milk. Plus milk and cheese is so new to the local people, it is a learning curve for everybody involved. The farm does not own the buffalo, they are rented from the local farmers, are given very good veterinary care, are milked for approximately 6 months after the calf is born and then mother and calf are returned to the farmer in much better health than they would have been. Plus mum is returned pregnant, thus improving the gene pool of the local buffalo herd. They started with just 5 buffalo in the first year, but are now up to 100 in their third year, with one particular village being inspired by the head man. The local restaurants are also taking on board the new ingredients they can use in their cooking so there may be a future for this budding enterprise. The farm also provides English lessons for the local students plus a program to improve the health of the younger children by cooking rice in the buffalo milk to provide much needed nutrients to the poor population.  All part of a worthy cause. We do feed a couple of the bigger calves with milk, plus milk a cow and have a look at the pigs, ducks and rabbits also on the farm. We have a lasagne lunch at the farm, using the cheese and buffalo meat. Very tasty.

After lunch we move on to see a water fall, the Kuang Si Falls. Multiple drops and pools make this a stunning place to visit. You can even swim in some of the pools. All of this water is spring fed.

Also in the area is a Bear Rescue Centre, where bile bears rescued from years of torment and abuse can live out their days in friendly, healthy environments.They are not overly active in the heat but they look happy bears now. Ted is pleased.

We visit the night market just up the road and partake of some of the local food. Lots of things to look at. A busy and hot day, so a night cap of a beer is in order. Relaxation time.

Morning tea

Pig

Calf feeding

Rabbits

Bull

Kuang Si Falls

Kuang Si Falls

Rescued bear!

Rescued bear