Why Southeast Asia?
For anyone who grew up in the 1960s in the US, Vietnam was part of the fabric of life. People, places, and pictures were always in the news, and part of adult conversations. Family members and the family of friends served there, and whether people supported or opposed the war it was always a topic of controversy and social turmoil. This planted the seed of interest in this region from an early age.
In later years as a student of biology I came to appreciate natural environments of the world and the amazing biodiversity of the Asian tropics. Once more peaceful times came, western scientists returned and reports emerged of new species of mammals from Vietnam and Laos. Some were representatives of groups thought long extinct. Of course, the local people had known about these animals for generations, but new scientific descriptions of of mammals in the late 20th and early 21st centuries were rare and exciting. Also exotic to a biologist are groups of animals not found in North America; primates, large carnivores, and elephants! Not to mention the amazing bird fauna. I have enough experience to know that sightings of large mammals in the wild are rare. Refuges and parks help; local naturalists are indispensable.
Another aspect of diversity that draws me to Southeast Asia is the human cultural and ethnic diversity. Cultures that have been part of this landscape for thousands of years have unique relationships to the land and environment. All of this is part of the rich tapestry of life that I hope to experience on our bike tour of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
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Isn’t the other reason for choosing Vietnam is that your extensive cycle touring experience in Indonesia has you missing heat, humidity, extreme hills and being overtaken by vehicles without mufflers?
3 weeks ago