It was a strange feeling to be traveling for the first time only with film equipment and not taking any photos. The way I have to work is now completely different. While you can go more or less unplanned when taking photos, you have to do a lot more preparatory work and planning when filming. On my first “film tour” I tried out a lot and immediately found out that there is a lot to learn before I can create my first small nature documentary. However, the topic has already been decided and planning has already started....
At the end of the year, one more adventure was necessary and, as so often, I ended up in Vietnam again. On the one hand I wanted to visit my colorful friends, the red-shanked douc monkeys and on the other hand I wanted to go hunting for the other two associated species for the first time. Vietnam is currently still struggling with the aftermath of Covid, there are still quite a few tourists on the road, which is of course always a good thing for me.
After unusually heavy rains in November and December, the Da Nang region was hit by massive floods - which unfortunately again cost human lifes. Son Tra Mountain, home of the red-shanked douc, was not spared either. Due to landslides, the only access road was partially blocked with boulders and so it was another little adventure to visit the beautiful monkeys a third time this year.
The Mekong Delta in Vietnam offers a breathtaking backdrop, especially in the rainy season. It rained surprisingly little this October, possibly due to climate change. The rain showers are usually short and heavy and the temperatures are usually high. In recent years, various dams have been built to protect the people and the fields, which are supposed to make life easier for the people there. You can reach the region in about 6 hours by bus from Ho Chi Minh City, by the way, the buses are super comfortable with reclining seats and of course with free wifi.
The Cát Tiên National Park is a paradise for all insects and bird lovers. About fifty percent of the park is covered in evergreen forest. Unfortunately, like all the others, the park is threatened by poaching and illegal logging.
The first location I looked at is the Yok Đôn National Park. At this time of year there are usually only a few tourists in the park, or as in my case none at all.
