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Cycle the MekongEA07Southern LaosECO ADVENTURESponsorErik TorjesenAmy FergusonPriceS$2,800Course Length7 daysPost-Interim Experience:Parent’s night / OnlineReflectionsCourse Difficulty:Rigorous Adventure, Cyclingexperience and physicalfitness are requiredDescriptionYou will enjoy a magical journey through Southern Laos by bicycle. We willtravel through a quickly disappearing, slow-paced Southeast Asia as weisland hop down the Mekong toward the Cambodian border. We will beginin Pakse and Champassak, travel south along the Mekong and finish up onthe Bolavan Plateau. Along the way we will experience the following:• Cycling 20 to 40 km per day along quiet rural roads and islands.• Kayaking and camping along the Mekong river.• A Baci ceremony in a small village and the opportunity to meet andinteract with a rural Lao community.• The colonial city of Champassak and Wat Phu• Cooling off at the Liphi and Kong Phapeng waterfalls.• Fair-trade coffee plantations on the Bolavan plateau.• Friendships, fun and the accomplishment of a self-powered tour.We will be on a supported bike tour, with great guides and accompanyingvehicles. During the cycling, we will divide into groups tailored to differentspeeds and fitness levels, but this course is not designed for the novicecyclist, or anyone with persistent leg problems, recent concussions, orother medical conditions that will limit their ability to participate fully in theprogram.Objectives• Challenge yourself physically and mentally cycling, kayaking andcamping along the Mekong river in Southern Laos.• Explore the beauty of rural Laos, interact with the Lao population andlearn about significant aspects of their culture and economy.• Emerge with a stronger understanding of yourself and of traditionalSoutheast Asia.RequirementsPre-Course requirements:• Cycle at least one hour per week during November and Decemberand two hours per week in January and February. Students must attendmandatory group cycling sessions on Saturday and Sunday mornings inJanuary and February.• Attend pre-course meetings in November and January. Successfullycomplete a swim test and a cycling test.Post-Course requirements:• Journal and take photos during the course and then post these as aseries of blog posts via Blogger and Google Sites. Attend and present atparent evening.18 interim semester HANDBOOKSINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL