District Can Gio. |
So many monkeys. And so many pictures!
You can see the map of Cần Giờ District (yes, still part of Ho Chi Minh City, crazily!) that we traveled to. Our destination was Lâm viên Cần Giờ (Cần Giờ Forest Park), in the southern region - almost as far south as you can go while staying both on land and in HCMC's expansive boundaries.
Lâm viên Cần Giờ is a designated UN Biosphere Reserve, recognized as such for the best practices exhibited by the Vietnamese government in regrowing the massive and extensive mangrove forests following the destruction of over 80% of the total biomass through American gas attacks during the Vietnam War. Today, the area is a quiet haven for thousands of monkeys (called a troop!), a group of crocodiles (called a float!), and a beautiful and calm alternative to the endless shouting, honking, bustling throngs of Ho Chi Minh City.
It's picture slideshow time!
We started our expedition by choosing to take the city buses. It involved two buses and a ferry, for a total of about 2.5 hours on buses each way (although it took substantially longer to get out - close to 4 hours).
The ferry was just like every ferry ever. |
Youths!!
NO ONE AROUND. NO BIKES. CLEAN AIR. FLIPPIN' BIRD SOUNDS, MAN. WHAT IS THIS PLACE. |
Do not toss watermelons. No holding pineapples while striking a jaunty pose. No corn, grapes, carrots, cherries, or bananas. Definitely no fruit baskets. WE ARE NOW ON MONKEY LOCKDOWN. |
First things first. Solitude, fans, and ca phe da at the park restaurant. |
MMMMMM DELICIOUS CIGARETTE BUTT CUISINE |
Don't tease the bastards, they're really aggressive - one latched onto my messenger bag with an iron grip - only flying off when I whipped the bag around in surprise. He got his prize, though - my luggage tag, which he promptly tried to eat. Erin didn't have anything taken, and this was my only physical encounter with them. Probably a good thing. I was pretty nervous to take out my phone at all to capture them - which is why I have so few pictures of my favorite part of Monkey Island.
No monkeys as we approach the crocodiles. Clever animals. |
OH PLEASE LET US SEE THIS MANY! |
It was a pretty cool looking bridge - all bamboo, all the time. |
Captain No Fear. Except of monkeys. |
How many can you find?* |
There was this really fun-looking thing were you can "fish" for crocs by threading a big chunk of eel on a bamboo fishing pole and line and taunting these mammoth animals until they catch it. A bunch of younger Vietnamese sight-seers were occupied with it and looked like they were enjoying themselves, so we observed for a bit, took some pics, checked out the giant crocs...
I'M A MONSTERRRRRRR |
Only step on the supports... only step on the supports... watch for monkeys... only step on the supports... |
Erin was looking forward to getting off the boardwalk and back onto solid land. I don't blame her... but I do have to say I've become accustomed to things looking like they're going to fall apart at any minute. They usually - usually - don't. Falling in these waters would probably have been... bad. We learned in the history museum attached to the park that these crocs were infamous for eating humans on a regular basis. Let's hope their tastes run to eel now!
12-1:30 - monkeys closed due to siesta and ennui. |
This guy was playing sentry. We were convinced he was going to go for my bag or a pair of sunglasses... but he couldn't be bothered. The middle of the day is a peaceful time for all primates and humans.
Where the sidewalk officially ends. |
Beyond the crocodiles, we thought we might be able to get to the rebel base on foot. Screw that paying for a boat thing, we've got better things to spend our money on, like food. All the time, food, and also ice cream.
Heaven. My most peaceful moments since traveling to SE Asia. Birdsong, few insects, a light breeze, shady... ahhhh... |
On one offshoot there was even a dilapidated dock on a river, the muddy brown water still and peaceful. We saw no boats or locals in the forest - this is all firmly within the parklands. Eventually we came to an impasse, held back from progressing to the rebel base by a lack of bridge over a wide stretch of water. Ah well, the walk was worth it! We hiked back, enjoying the quiet and clean air.
The best maintained structure on the premises. |
It featured some truly bland communist artwork celebrating the triumph of the human soul or some kind of BS, or maybe they're superpeople taking off into orbit, I don't care. I'm so sick of this aesthetic. What are these people doing with their arms? Landing a plane? Signaling incoming hurricanes? Yoga? This is the same frame of artistic mind that creates all the propaganda posters around town, and can be seen in high-profile public artwork around HCMC. While it was unique at first, upon reflection I find it lacking dimension (ironic, given that it's most commonly found in sculpture). I miss seeing many kinds of artistic expression. ...I should probably write a blog about this, huh? Ok, moving on!
This cat has marbles for eyes. |
KILL... MEEE.... |
There was also a closeup of the region we were touring - down at the bottom of this orange area there is a resort with bungalows available for about 30-60 USD a night (which I later stayed at!), the 30/4 Beach (Youths!!) and the opportunity to drive about on the open roads. Besides a great place to eat seafood, there's not a ton going on down here. You can see, however, that the whole region is indeed an island - a fact which had been up for debate for several hours at this point.
One final point worth noting is that, as this is indeed an island, the water level in Monkey Island park is determined by the tides. We were warned not to come during high tide, as the park closes - the thousands of monkeys (we maybe saw 100-150 different monkeys - total guesstimate) that inhabit the park congregate on the highest points - the walking trails. Tourists beware! Fortunately, armed with this knowledge, we planned around it.
We left Monkey Island behind after a relaxed Cornetto in the shade and walked the km up the entrance to the main road. After lazily strolling and chatting a bit, along came our bus. We hailed it down from alongside the road - just like a cab! - and eventually made it back to 'civilization' and the City in time for dinner and bedtime. Sleep felt great. Teacher Day - you were a complete success.
It was a fantastic day trip and a worthwhile excursion, and all for less than $15 USD! I'd recommend it to anyone looking to get outside of Ho Chi Minh City.
There may not be a lot to see, but there's a lot to like.
*I count 16 crocodiles! Did I miss any?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Hi! Thanks for speaking up! :) - Ben