We left the hotel at 8.30am, just enough time for brekky and to get re-packed for our 2 nights away, leaving our big bags here at the hotel. On our way to the national park we stopped at Hoa Lu which was the capital of Vietnam back in 968AD. There are still two temples here that we were able to visit. It was used because it was some distance from China plus there are lots of rocky mountains around for protection. If you wanted, you could jump on a water buffalo, especially outfitted for a photo…for a fee of course.

We then continued onto Cuc Phuong National Park where we had a lunch. Very peaceful and quiet. In Australia, if you were isolated like you are here, the restarant would be charging triple as there is no other choice. Not here. The guys were paying 15,000VD for a beer (that's not even a dollar). Soft drink was 10,000VD (about 50c).

After lunch we went and visited the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre. All the animals were either rescued or saved from cages or poachers. There were some new born babies and everyone got a good laugh from the gibbons flying through the cages from branch to branch. From what I understood, they eventually release extended families back into the wild.

From here, we were driven about 30kms into the park and went for a 6km hike, just under 2hours. Nice to get out and get the heart racing. There were lots of steps, didn't count them but we estimated around 1000, up and down, up and down and just when you didn't think there were any more, there were. We visited the 1000 year old tree but found out it isn't 1000 years old, someone just called it that because it looked old. Go figure.

We were expecting basic accomodation here and it wasn't flash but it was better than we thought. We were still in twin rooms, had our own ensuite with hot water and there were heaters in the room. Nothing to complain about although people have been complaining about the cold. I don't think it is that bad, just put some layers on and that works.

Dinner was back in the same restaurant again and then while the others played cardS I tried to do some of my journal (hard copy). I'm so behind, lucky I have a good memory.