The Enchanting Forest of Tra Su

Our boat chugged through the carpet of water plants, the wake making the green surface ripple. My mind kept tricking me into thinking that the top of the water was solid. It looked like you could just get out and walk across it. We could hear the calls of exotic water birds in the distance. The twisted roots of half submerged trees arched to form a tunnel were similar to mangroves, but more erect. Occasionally I would catch a blur of pink- lotus flowers. The motor behind us slowed us we slowed at the waters edge. We stepped out onto dry ground, uncommon in the swamp.

We spent a half day at Tra Su forest, a bird reserve on the Vietnamese border. I think it was more crowded than usual due to Tet holiday and the vacation, but that didn’t take away much from the experience. From the motor boat we walked a short way to rowboats, where women in blue uniforms would take partners on a tranquil cruise through the unique landscape. We clambered into the small wooden craft and in one smooth motion were off towards the shadowy pathway of water before us. From where I sat I could spy egrets and herons. And just in case the wild water fowl had stage fright, visitors could be assured the could catch a glimpse of something with feathers when they were paddled past the domesticated geese in their enclosure. Suddenly we were turning around. I guess I don’t blame the staff for taking us more than 100 yards, my arms would be tired too- but it wasn’t exactly what I had imagined. Justin offered a bit more money, which his rower eagerly accepted, to get us a few feet farther.

Nick takes a turn paddling 

When our short and sweet boat trip was over, we climbed a tall observation tower to look out over the rest of the reserve. It was at least 6 stories high and illustrated how large the forest is. Narrow channels of water weave through soggy land for miles, and we could only guess what strange creatures could live in such a remote place.