Van Long
Day 6: Wednesday 20th March 2019 (continued)
From Cuc Phuong, we drove for about an hour to Van Long. This is a wetland bounded by high limestone hills. The main attraction here is the critically endangered Delacour’s Langur, which are usually found high on the hills, but which we were lucky enough to see unusually low down. We were transported through the wetland on sampans, a coracle-like boat with a “driver” (nearly all female) and a very hard wooden seat for two passengers, mostly propelled by oars, but could also be punted with a pole. This was a generally pleasant experience, but would have been more relaxing if the seats weren’t so uncomfortable. As well as the Langurs, we saw a variety of herons and some other common waterbirds.
Returning to the coach, we set off on the 4-hour drive to Tam Dao.
From Cuc Phuong, we drove for about an hour to Van Long. This is a wetland bounded by high limestone hills. The main attraction here is the critically endangered Delacour’s Langur, which are usually found high on the hills, but which we were lucky enough to see unusually low down. We were transported through the wetland on sampans, a coracle-like boat with a “driver” (nearly all female) and a very hard wooden seat for two passengers, mostly propelled by oars, but could also be punted with a pole. This was a generally pleasant experience, but would have been more relaxing if the seats weren’t so uncomfortable. As well as the Langurs, we saw a variety of herons and some other common waterbirds.
Returning to the coach, we set off on the 4-hour drive to Tam Dao.