After 8 weeks of living in Hanoi, our first adventure out of the city was timed to celebrate Elliot’s 12th Birthday – Elliot’s goal in life is to become a wildlife photographer/ videographer so the obvious choice for him to mark the occasion and christen his new video camera and for us as a family to get away for a couple of days R & R was a 3 day tour of Vietnam’s first National Park.
Cuc Phuong was established in 1962 and is about 120 kms (2½ hours drive) South West of Hanoi. The 25,000 hectares of tropical rainforest are set in limestone “Karst” mountains that rise impressively from the flat river plains that surround the greater metropolis of Hanoi.
Leaving Hanoi on a dingy misty winter’s morning any hopes of getting away from the relentless car and motor bike honking were dashed by a driver who had an overdeveloped propensity to honk at anything that moved, looked like it may have ever once moved or will do so sometime in the future! Despite this it was exciting to embark on our first exploration outside of Hanoi and before long the monolithic office and apartment blocks and congested roading system give way to a more rural landscape and eventually green rice terraces – often punctuated by towns, cities and industrial plants and factories of various sizes and aesthetic merit.
Upon arrival at the National Park there was the obligatory registration formalities and form completion (luckily we packed our passports – on the off chance that these may be needed for some reason) followed by a warm welcome from our guide Huyen. Huyen belongs to one of the 54 minority people groups in Vietnam. His Muong ancestors traditionally lived in this area and to this day there are a few scattered villages around the periphery of the park where you can still see their stilt houses, water wheels and bamboo rafts. His knowledge, passion for nature, warm smile and contagious laugh keep us well entertained throughout our trip.
After checking into our accommodation for the night on the edge of Mac Lake, we feasted on a lunch of local food ranging from the now favourite Vietnamese spring rolls to stir fried chicken, pork and a variety of fresh vegetable dishes – the standard and quantity of the food continued throughout our visit, one of the real highlights.
Following a much needed nap we then toured the Endangered Primates Rescue Centre and a Turtle Conservation Centre. These two informative and important initiatives are playing a key role in two critically threatened wildlife areas. Unfortunately poor protection, lack of education and the financial rewards offered by the illegal trafficking of primates and turtles leaves many of these species (some of which can only be found in the surrounding areas) facing extinction. And here was I thinking turtles only lived in the sea!
Elliot's first filming in the footsteps of David Attenborough
The ancient forest is home to over 2000 species of trees, 110 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 125 mammals, including the Clouded Leopard, Delacour's Langur, Owston's Civet and Asian Black Bear. There is also a wide range of birds and evidently the park is an incredible melting pot of colour as millions of butterflies dance to the warmth of summer in May.
Dinner for the Primates
Other highlights of the weekend
Silence – after the continual noise of Hanoi, the silence of the jungle at times was “deafening”.
Trekking through tropical Jungle
The local wildlife
Flying Lizard
Flying tourists
Blonde white girl
Laughing at local Vietnamese walking through National Park in high heels and suits!
Our Guide Huyen
The Food
Cave of Prehistoric Man – where a significant archaeological find in the 1960’s was later confirmed to date back to prehistoric people more than 7,500 years ago.
Challenge
Having spent our previous four winters in the mild temperatures of Rarotonga we have had to invest in whatever clothing we can find that fits and seems as though it will offer some assistance to our battles against the sub 10 degree temperatures – hence the stylish outfits in some of the attached photos.
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