day 51 - Vu Ban to Cuc Phuong National Park

Saturday, 14 December 2013

We slid out of Vu Ban this morning on a road thick with mud. The road was much the same as we passed through more towns. We found that in between each town, the road surface was freshly laid - it would likely be a very different experience to cycle the same way in 12 months time once the entire road has been completed. 

(Leaving Vu Ban on a terrible road)

(A better road surface along the way)

We made our way south to the highway, stopping for breakfast and lunch along the way. The people we passed continued to be friendly and welcoming. Most people we passed travel around on two wheels - either on a motorbike or bicycle. Those riding bicycles seemed to be using them for work purposes, the bike heavily stacked with wood, greenery or agricultural items. 

(Stopping for breakfast, the bikes were in a sorry state)

As we reached the highway and headed east, the scenery opened out and we were on a flat plain with the peaks of the national park towering up on our right hand side. We passed many small plots of land where there was a gravestone or two. It seems that many families do bury their deceased but that there are no designated cemeteries for them and so families use their own land. 

(A temple sits below a limestone karst)

We eventually turned south again towards the park which we reached after 50km. 

(Approaching Cuc Phuong)

Cuc Phuong National Park was Vietnam's first national park and is now also home to a monkey and turtle conservation centre. A large number of animal species in Vietnam have either become extinct or are now endangered as a result of forestry, poaching or other human activities. The conservation centres house animals that have been rescued from poachers. 

It was late afternoon by the time we were finished cleaning the mud from the bikes and ourselves. We had a good meal at the restaurant and tomorrow we plan to visit the conservation centres and then ride through the park to see some of the sights.