201002 ALLIANCE Students' Visit to Xishuangbanna

During Feb. 21st. - 24th., 2010, total 43 American students and 2 teachers from Shanghai School and Beijing School of Alliance for Global Education visited our region, it was the second year they chose my place as their spring travel destination. We specially arranged some activities oriented to interest of this age, rafting, basketball with Dai villagers, short hiking in tea producing area, tasting tea prepared in bamboo tube traditionally by local Aini people, biking in countryside, etc., just trying to let them experience more about Xishuangbanna.

DAY 01

Arrival in Xishuangbanna in the evening, met by guides, and transferred to local hotel.
　 　 　

DAY 02

Rafting along the Mekong, relaxing way to enjoy tropical view along river, upon arrival in Ganlanba, a major Dai region, we chose tuk-tuk, a local transport for a short experience as well the transfer from town to Dai village in the countryside, we had a friendly basketball match in the village, both visitors and hosts enjoyed mutual communication of this way. After match returned Jinghong.
　
Preparation for rafting along the Mekong 　 Enjoy view along the river, relaxing cruise
　
A stopover en route, kids had a break on sand beach 　 Tuk-tuk Tour, a new experience for students
　
Languages were different, but spirit for sport were same 　 Group picture of both visitors and hosts
　 　 　

DAY 03

Today's trip began with a short hiking of several hours across Aini ethnic villages and their plantation of aged tea trees on Mount. Nannuo, a famous tea-producing area, view was refreshing, air was cool, students were excited and curious all the way, we asked local villagers to prepare the most organic tea with bamboo for them on half way, drinking with bamboo cup, warm villagers even sang folk songs for us, it's a nice stop. Today's lunch was quite special, a simple buffet picnic lunch in pleasant tree shade, after some walk, seemed everything was delicious. After walk students cycled around 20 km back to Jinghong, it's another excitement.
　
Hiking on mounts, aged tea trees were everywhere 　 Villagers were perparing bamboo tea for us

　
Drinking tea with bamboo cup, chatting with villagers 　 Tea was nice, villagers were nice, a pleasant stop
　
Delicious lunch, hunger was the best sauce 　 Bikes were ready, to take us back to town
　
In high spirit, riding bikes like riding horse, cowboy? 　 No chatting, no biking side by side, keeping distance!
　 　 　

DAY 04

After breakfast in hotel, students were transferred to the airport, they would fly back to Beijing or Shanghai. Tour ended.

Obviously, students enjoyed this way of traveling better than simple visits to scenic or cultural spots with lecturing explanation, more experience by themselves, and with some fun would fit them well.  

RELATED TOUR.....to be customized.