Rolling in the Rain

Today it felt like we were paddling not peddling. What started out as a drizzle turned into a full blown rain. So far we have conquered the traffic, the heat, the hills, and now it looks like it's going to be the rain and mud from now until Hanoi. 

On the way out of town this morning, we stopped another pagoda and had a private concert from a man who boasted about his Ho Chi Minh beard. He was playing some tradition music and then broke out into frere jacques - we all sang along and got a good chuckle. From there on it was nothing but pure scenery. We were supposed to take a boat cruise down the river this morning but the weather put the kibosh on that idea. Instead we biked some more. The views were great and in some scenes the fog and rain even helped the pictures. However, it would have been a bit more comfortable without the rain and all the mud getting sloshed about. 

We did our 50k and got to the Nature Preserve where we are staying for the night. Very rustic quarters. First thing we did is strip and wash the mud off of everything. Of course, trying to dry all this stuff in this rain is another matter. We are toasted our clothes over a heater we were lucky enough to score. Not sure it will get the job done or not.

Here's something funny. Geoff and I have ponchos that we brought from home, but we were both a little intimated to wear them this morning - thinking that everyone else would have nice rain gear. So we just wore our bike jackets - good cover but not really waterproof. Well, as it turned out no one brought rain gear and they are all scurrying to buy ponchos!  After lunch there was a walk to see the primate rescue area and we donned on our blue smurf ponchos. The rest of the gang went up to the shop to buy theirs. Olivia came back with a very fashionable two piece model that is somewhat heavier than ours. We each bought one which we are thinking we might need in Japan. Why we didn't bring out rain jackets, I still don't know.

The primate rescue was pretty large with lots of different species - mostly from Vietnam. 

Established in 1993, the centre was set up to care for endangered and critically endangered primates who were confiscated from illegal trade following the introduction of the ‘Vietnam Primate Conservation Programme’. Today the centre is home to more than 140 primates from 15 species and subspecies. Several endangered species of Langur kept at the centre can be found in no other facilities around the world. All of the animals at the centre are victims of poaching and the illegal animal trade.
The goal of the centre is to establish stable populations of highly endangered primate species in captivity so that they may be a part of further reintroduction and release programmes. The combination of poaching and the illegal trade of primates has led to the decimation of many species’ populations. The centre acts as a rescue facility for primates confiscated from illegal trade and also works to breed the primates to bolster the populations of endangered species. So far 9 species have been successfully bred at the centre, with a total over more than 50 infants born! The centre faces a huge challenge in balancing the unparalleled success of the breeding programme with their continuing care for the rescued animals. Come and volunteer and help local staff in their fight to increase the primate population in Vietnam.

We are back in our "suite" which is a huge room with one light bulb in the middle. Gotta love it. I think back fondly to those days on the beach - heat, what heat?  Tonight will be quiet - we might nestle in bed and watch one of the movies we brought - if we can stay up. Not sure what happens tomorrow. I think it is the last long ride of this journey. 

picture of the day

Next time... Rain, rain go away