Mari Mari Cultural Village

After another phenomenal breakfast, including the now mandatory breakfast dessert we hopped on the bus for our trip to the Mari Mari Cultural Village. Whilst it was an overcast morning, nothing could prepare us for the complete and utter drenching we would experience from the second we got off the bus!!
The rainforest was most definitely living up its name!!
Our guide Van Helan (bahahaha) led us around the village. It was fascinating to see the long-houses that villagers used to live in. Some could be up to 1km long with around 500 families living in them! Imagine the chaos!!!
Single ladies had a bunk bed and the ladder was removed each evening so they couldn’t get down and the boys couldn’t climb up.
We tasted an array of traditional foods and beverages with the rice wine being particularly potent. Watching how they cooked, using the traditional methods was so interesting. Van Helan did admit that some of the raw ingredients did, in fact, come from the local supermarket haha.
We experienced dancing ceremonies and each group had to elect a Chief - we had a 15 year old boy who took his job very seriously and was great.
After a cultural show we had another buffet and whilst I am a tad over rice and curried meats, the food had been fabulous.
The rain did not let up all day and was absolutely torrential!! Our ponchos earned their keep, that’s for sure.
Some unfortunate tour groups had parked their mini-buses on the wrong side of the river and were trapped until the water receded. I’m not sure how long that took. We had to return via a suspension bridge and the before and after of the water flow was insane!
Finished the day with an amazing fresh seafood pasta on the waterfront with 4 other couples/pairs.
As we walked past our massage place, Ging and Rose were there to eagerly greet us and have photos 😂
It would’ve been rude not to indulge in a two hour massage so we decided to continue supporting the local economy.
Afterwards there were more photos with our hair looking gorgeous. Ging “friended” me on WhatsApp. So funny.Leer más