Tra Su Cajuput Forest
Imagine being able to enter a wonderful watercolour painting, wandering around in it, taking in all its beauty, softness and colour. This is Tra Su Forest. Patches of light breaking through soft foliage lighting up the heart, coupled with muted greens that sooth the soul. Flashes of bright, vibrant colour here and there as a bird makes its presence known amongst the vegetation. This area of conservation in Vietnam, consists of a large mangrove forest, now a sanctuary of about 850 hectares of flooded water ways, plant, bird and wildlife all waiting to be explored. The route there has got its own visual interest in the wide open rice fields and smaller towns on the way, glimpses of everyday life in Vietnam from the back of a bike. This oasis of muted colour and soft dappled light is well worth a visit to relax and refresh the senses.
““The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.””
The forest at Tra Su consists mainly of Cajaput trees which have been used for their pharmaceutical properties in the past, as well as other aquatic plant life and wildfowl in and around the water ways. The many varieties of green are a feast for the senses. At one point a magnificent royal blue bird peeked out from amongst the undergrowth but being unable to capture it, the flash of iridescent colour will have to remain etched in my mind forever. There are a few eateries, along with several ice cream vendors and shops selling refreshments and souvenirs, so a full day can very well be made of a visit to the sanctuary here. A tall tower in one part of the sanctuary allows for a birds eye view across the whole area with several levels to stop and overlook the forest and mountains in the distance. At the top awaits the best view of the whole area with an all encompassing 360 degrees to enjoy.
“In a forest of a hundred thousand trees, no two leaves are alike. And no two journeys along the same path are alike.”
“Being amongst trees has always been precious. Guardians of nature, and symbols of knowledge, their presence for mankind has always held much importance, each giving breath for the other in wondrous and inexorable symbiosis”
