 Wild ginger plant, Dong Natad |
Dong Natad, the Sacred Forest revered by the people of the sleepy Lao city of Savannakhet, is not exactly the heart of darkness, but there are wondrous things to see – or to avoid – with the help of forest-wise guides, employed through a newly-established ‘eco-trek’ program. We falang (foreigners) are escorted into the forest by the petite Ms Sinakhone Sengphalichanh – “you can call me Nicky” – from the provincial tourism bureau, and Mr Soda Chanla, a member of one of the local forest-dwelling minority peoples. Before long, the seemingly monotonous forest stretching either side of a puddled track resolves into a medley of individual specks of life. To prove the point, Soda grabs a passing scorpion and eats it – live – with gusto. But, he warns us, never let a beetle piss in your eye!
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