Bob and Ann in Vietnam 2005-2006 Eldertreks Tour

Up at 6AM, breakfast, then luggage out at 7:30 for North Vietnam adventure. First stop was Hoa Lu where we were ushered into 5 flatbottomed boats and rowed by VN couples through Tam Coc Grotto and up river between tall limestone cliffs. We had a small, but strong and cheerful team skillfully rowing, chatting with other teams and eventually displaying a chestful of embroidered work for sale over an hour and a half ride. The 12 of us riders were bundled to keep warm on this chilly overcast day, but the hard working boatfolk were barefoot! Lunch at the local restaurant featured goat-barbcued and steamed. Thuy taught us to make our own veggie rolls and we ate well. The mountain goat we spotted on our boat ride was not on the menu.

Buddhist Temple near Hoa Lu

A long drive over primitive roads into the rural countryside brought us to the ruins of an ancient capitol of Vietnam and a Buddhist Temple near Hoa Lu and then on to Cuc Phuong National Park.

We stopped to visit the Endangered Primate Center, 103 shy monkeys rescued from cruelty are being nurtured here before being returned to the wild. Some with babies were caged, but the others had the run of the preserve.

Our Cabin Room

Our cabin rooms for the night featured retractable mosquito netting, which proved to be unnecessary in the chilly winter season. Wholesome dinner at the camp was followed by a bonfire and dancing by a local Huomg tribe. Dancers were mostly cute,young and shy nonprofessionals who invited us to join in the bamboo dance, quite a spectacle by the roaring fire. ElderTrekers sang jingle bells, row your boat and the hokey pokey before dancers served us rice wine. A good sleep tonic.

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