Cuc Phuong Nature Park

The Nature park is an hour away from where we are staying. Passing all the freshly built and partially constructed buildings in town, I realize my first impression of progress and a country on the move, expansion gone wild was a few years too late. None of the construction was on going. Lots of beginnings and companies gone bankrupt. The Viet Namese building bubble has burst. So there are no photos.


We visit the preserve on an off day and only encounter two others in our 8km hike up and down the limestone hills. Fortunately there were steps in the steeper parts. Steps going up and steps coming down on the far side.





We found a sign to discourage poaching in the National Park. and a 1000 year old tree which isn't long for this world. A three in one tree at that.





Affiliated with the park are a primate rescue/ rehab station with wonderful languar. They were captives to be shipped to China for eating and pets, confiscated and slowly reintroduced to a semi-wilderness and then a wilderness area within the part. Sorry for the poor photos, but you get an idea of the multi colored, white bottom, golden and black languars.















Also rescued are gibbons and many varieties of turtles which fetch a high price in China because in Chinese mythology the turtle is the symbol of long life. The environment and biodiversity in both Viet Nam and Lao are increasingly affected by their hungry and more and more affluent neighbor to the north.
On the road with Kathryn

Location:Ninh Binh