Travellive 5 - 2018

Oc got to see many new things during her first day in
the forest, from ants crawling under the brown carpet
of leaves on the ground, to termites making a nest in a
tree trunk, to colorful bugs which can be spotted under
the leaves, as well as all kinds of different birds and
butterflies flying from one branch to another.
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TRAVELLIVE
Trekking is a task that often requires adults to have strength,
endurance, and some degree of physical conditioning. With
children, it is a different story. One kilometer of climbing
equals a 3 km walk on flat terrain, so we had to sing to Oc
to motivate her. She mostly walked by herself, except for
some parts where she held our hands, or needed to be lifted or held. With
children, each day gives a different experience. On a normal day, she would
get very excited and could walk long distances, but on a different day, she
would refuse to walk by herself, and wanted to be held instead. Oc is older
this year, but still very much a little girl. We encountered countless colorful
butterflies, mushrooms, and huge red ants on our way to Ao Ech. The forest
is such a great world with so many things to explore for Oc.
We stayed at a villa in Cat Ba National Park where we were surrounded
with lush mountains and forests. From here, you can trek along a number
of trails into the forest. To the north is Gia Luan Commune where you
cross over to Quang Ninh, to the west is Phu Long Commune, well-known
for its mangrove forests, and to the southeast is the town.
As soon as the sun sunk behind the far away mountains, everything
became pitch black, and the sound of birds, monkeys, and night insects
echoed from afar. We quickly trekked back to the villa with Oc holding the
flashflight to show us the way. Up in the sky were countless stars lighting
the night forest.
The story of the moon, stars and telescope
We were lucky to experience the moon at its peak during our first nights.
The full moon lit up the sky with its magical light, and its beautiful
presence was felt even when we were inside the room. Oc loved the
experience.
We opened all the windows to let the light in, and only closed them when
we went to bed, but still we kept the curtains open. If we had to, we could
have easily slept under this beautiful starry sky. The moonlight spread over
the entire villa and the surrounding forest. We could hear the sound of
birds, crickets, and insects clearly throughout the nights. Sometimes the
glistening stars were spotted from our beds. Oc loved to sing the North Star
song, "North star, north star, are you near or are you far?" before she went
to bed. Her favorite thing to do was to assign the stars, one for her, one for
me and one for her mother.
We brought out our telescope, binoculars, and camera during our first
nights to try to capture the breathtaking beauty of the moon. It was
my first time getting the telescope out, and putting it together was no
Travel with children in the forest
ñ Bring insect repellents, a first
aid kit, some basic medicines
or specific medications for your
children.
ñ Bring a climbing stick, trekking
shoes, and a good flashlight to
ensure the family has the safest
and most enjoyable experience.
The children can have their own
climbing sticks to help them
balance when going long distances
or when climbing though this isn't
necessary. Bring along items such
as GPS, binoculars, and telescope
for a more fun experience.
ñ Wear a hat with a neck flap,
sunglasses, and sunscreen.
ñ Bring some snacks for your
children to eat along the way.
ñ Bring plenty of water for the
whole family.
ñ Tell your children which plant
is safe to touch and which plant
is not. The same goes with the
insects. There are many kinds
of toxic mushrooms, plants, and
flowers in the forest. It is best to
advise your children not to touch
or eat anything while in the forest.
ñ Teach your children about the
natural world, the forest, the sea,
the moon, and the stars.
ñ Remind your children not to
litter in the forest, make a fire, or
damage any plants to protect the
environment.