It all started thanks to a recommendation from https://www.facebook.com/chamkhanhhoa/ – they suggested Leonardo and I should try Kong Forest Adventure Park as both the location and the experience are really worth the trip. I contacted the place and booked us in for the day after.

Leonardo on a boulder with Hoang and Lee

We got picked up from our hotel in town by Mr Hoang who came on a Ford SUV accompanied by a young and affable Miss Lee, who Leonardo immediately liked. Hoang negotiated the morning traffic of Nha Trang and soon we left the busy town, passing the outskirts and dozens of nice, traditional market villages. It was not long before we hit nature. Outside, only a winding mountain road flanked by papaya, banana and mango plantations.

It was a cloudy day, perfect for a mountain trip. Leonardo and I had been in Vietnam for over 20 days and had only experienced hot sunny days, scooter drives and and beach time. Nature was indeed a nice change. The road finally got smaller and smaller, and bumpier as well. Hoang informed us Kong Forest Adventure Park is about 40km from town and 20km from Hon Ba Mountain peak.

Apart from nice cool temperatures, Hon Ba Mountain doesn’t have spectacular views and it is not a known tourist sport as such, but the fact that makes it worthwhile to visit is that it is where the Swiss-born French bacteriologist and doctor Alexandre Yersin chose to climb more than 100 years ago, and where he decided to live to do his pharmaceutical research. Read his story HERE.

Swimming at the stream

Leonardo getting ready for the swim

Back to our trip, it wasn’t long before we reached the entrance of Kong Forest Adventure Park. Rain started to fall as we descended the car. Hoang and Lee took us to reception, where we changed our clothes and went straight down to Suoi Nguon, a large basin fed by three streams and surrounded by boulders and small waterfalls. Despite the cloudy day and the cold water, Leonardo and I dived in and enjoyed a cool swim. Up on the hillside, a series of small cabanas host guests who come here to eat, drink and enjoy the cool atmosphere, and not necessarily to take part of the several activities on offer. In fact, Kong Forest Adventure Park is also a nice place to just go to and enjoy food and friend’s company in the midst of nature. Their restaurant serves roasted jungle pig, a local delicacy! It was Saturday, so by lunch time all cabanas were occupied by Vietnamese from Ho Chi Minh, a 4 hours drive away, families and groups of friends who had come to enjoy the Hon Ba nature.

Setting the Stage for Adventure

Leonardo at Suoi Nguon stream

As we later ventured into the depths of Kong Forest accompanied by Hoang, who is a wealth of information about the camp and the area, we were instantly enveloped by the serene beauty of the surrounding landscape. The dense foliage, teeming with diverse flora and fauna, created an amazing atmosphere. We visited the Zip Line starting platform and the ATV headquarters, so we had an idea of what we wanted to try.

They have a nice list of adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities closely tied to the nature and the environment waiting for customers to explore: Zipline Canopy Tour, ATV Tour, Hiking, Rafting, Camping. You can also stay overnight at Kong Forest: a few tepee-like tents dot the area, and there is a central common area for evening groups and BBQs under the stars.

Kid-Friendly Fun: A Wholesome Family Experience

River rafting is also available, though it is better over the rainy months

What truly set Kong Forest apart was its family-friendly approach. With my 5-year-old Leonardo in tow, I was delighted to find a range of activities tailored to him as well. Leonardo was introduced to the joys of nature through a short nature walk, and the excitement on Leonardo’s face as he learned about the environment was truly heartwarming. Kong Forest provided ample opportunities to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of the surroundings. The gentle stroll through the forest unveiled hidden waterfalls, tranquil streams, and stunning vistas. The air was filled with the sweet scent of wildflowers, and the symphony of chirping birds added to the enchanting ambiance.

ATV Adventure: A Heart-Pounding Ride

Leonardo familiarising with the ATV

Eventually I let Leonardo chose the activity, and he went for ATV with hardly any hesitation at all. The ATV adventure was exhilarating. After the staff trained the whole group on the tricks of manoeuvring an ATV, we started the hard but exciting drive through rugged trails that led us deeper into the forest. The roar of the engines and the thrill of navigating the terrain provided an adrenaline rush like no other. The trails were thoughtfully designed to cater to all skill levels, ensuring an enjoyable experience for both seasoned riders and novices. We did the short version of the tour, as the long one is quite tiring and takes about 2 hours to complete. The ATV adventure left our hearts pounding, and Leonardo looks of approval made me proud of this whole Vietnam adventure I had designed for him.

A Welcoming Haven

Leonardo gets the special attention of the park staff

The team at Kong Forest went above and beyond to ensure our experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm smiles and a genuine enthusiasm for sharing their sanctuary with visitors. Hoang and Lee were not only knowledgeable but also considerate of Leonardo’s needs, making us feel like treasured guests throughout the adventure.

Capturing the Essence

Kong Forest is more than just an adventure park; it’s a portal to a world where nature and excitement coexist harmoniously. The park owners and staff cohabit with the local mountain people of the Raglai ethnic group, and provided a temple for them and for anyone else wishing to pray in. The project is respectful of nature and during construction, they did not fell trees unnecessarily.

In Conclusion

Father and son enjoying ATV adventure at Kong Mountain

Kong Forest is an adventure haven located in the heart of the lush Vietnamese wilderness that guarantees an unforgettable escape for thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. It is also a place where adventure-seekers can quench their thirst for adrenaline, and families can bond over shared experiences. It is a sprawling playground for adventurers of all ages that left us in awe of its natural beauty, exciting activities, and warm hospitality.  Watching Leonardo engage with the environment underscored the educational value of this remarkable destination. Kong Forest Adventure Park is a must-visit destination in Nha Trang, Vietnam, that will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

KONG FOREST ADVENTURE PARK

Office: STH 19-21, No.13 Street; LeHongPhong II Urban Area, Phuoc Hai Ward, Nha Trang City

Operation address: Km19 Hon Ba Mountain, Suoi Cat Commune, Cam Lam District, Khanh Hoa Province,

Opening hour: 8 AM – 5 PM Daily

Hotline: +84 9758 07958 Telephone: +84 2586 288 388

Email: info@westpacific.vn

Website: kongforest.com

The post Leonardo Adventure and Nature Expedition at Kong Forest appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

David Metcalf (right) at ARMA with Agung Rai (centre)

It was at the Bali Spirit Festival 2015, and precisely at the opening Government and Music conference held at the ARMA (Agung Rai Museum of Art) that we were introduced by Bali based photographer David Metcalf to the touching story of a village called Long Sa’an and of its community. The conference highlighted the main theme of the BaliSpirit Festival 2015: the support for the survival of the indigenous people of Indonesia. The event was attended by ARMA owner and Bupati of the Gianyar Regency Mr. Agung Rai, as well as by the makers and protagonists of the movie Long Sa’an – The Journey Back (Indonesian talented, award-winner film-maker Erick Est, young Balinese musician Robi Navicula, who has a passion for raising awareness about the plight of the forests and wildlife, village elder Philius, and photographer David Metcalf himself) and by Ibu Siti and members of her Spirit of the Hornbill, a local Dayak dance academy from Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo.

The director Erick Est

Dave developed the idea of a movie on Long Sa’an while visiting Setulang, a village of about 800 people situated deep in the Indonesian Borneo near the Malaysian border, on a photographic expedition with partner Rex Urwin, a master coach and workshop developer who has been involved in working with cultures and eco tourism. Dave and Rex became very attached to the Khenya Dayak tribe that live in the edge of the pristine rainforest, and listened to their stories: some of them were moved to their current village from deep inside the forest in 1969 and have never been back since, and nowadays have a deep longing to return to their original village Long Sa’an, five days by canoe up the river, but they can’t afford the cost of the journey.

Since that moment they pledged to raise enough money to grant seven of these elders their dream of visiting their ancestors’ burial grounds up the Kayan river, deep in the heart of the forest. Money was raised and are still been raised since efforts to make a difference to seeing life-changing projects like this become a reality are never enough. Dave has so far donated most of his savings in order to bring people from all over the world, pay for the production of the documentary and mount the expedition, and has managed to secure the support of Jason Houston, one of USA’s foremost environmental filmmakers and photographers.

Philius in the river at Long Sa’an

You can donate money to this project by clicking https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/6kIi0/sh/23FfU8

The subsequent expedition to this ancestral village in North Kalimantan where the spirits dwell, resulted in a multimedia film-documentary blending film, still photography, music by Robi Navicula, paintings by Wolfgang Widmoser, a famous artist based in Ubud, and voices, showcasing the Dayaks’ unique culture, bringing them together with representatives of other indigenous peoples from around the world, and raising awareness of the environmental threats this pristine rainforest is facing.

This movie will be a way of preserving the Dayak’s threatened way of life in the forest – much of which has already been lost – for future generations. This tribe is so connected to the forest

THE DAYAK AND THE NEED TO RAISE AWARENESS

Dayak boys in the river

The wise Dayaks are spiritually connected to the forest and consider it ‘Tala Olen’ meaning ‘Forbidden forest’. They are spiritually connected to the forest, to the rivers and to the land and have strict cultural rules about cutting down the trees or damaging them in any way. The Dayak people’s forest is not the only one ecosystem under threat. In large part of Indonesian Borneo, or Kalimantan, logging practices and dam projects regularly destroy huge swathes of the environment. Kalimantan represents only 1% of the Earth’s surface but 5% of its flora and fauna, including untold numbers of trees and plants still undiscovered by mankind, amongst these unknown species that could have huge medicinal benefits. Yet, 52% of Kalimantan’s forest has already been lost.

behind the scenes

So this documentary will be used not only to depict the Dayak’s culture but also to raise awareness about the imperative need to save the forests and the wildlife. Several artists and activists from several cultures will accompany David to tour it around Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada in the hope that by showcasing the beauty of the forest and the unique cultural beliefs of the Dayak, they will showcase the potential for eco-tourism in this area as an alternative to damaging logging and dam projects.

A trailer of the documentary was played at the conference and repeated at a workshop at the Bali Spirit Festival. Here a few links that will satisfy your curiosity:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmmUU9pTox0

Long Sa’an leaflet

http://www.thejourneyback.info/#!contact/c1z0x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XK6qf4KjPQ#t=24

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OwSkVFlspM#t=35

To know more about the documentary: http://www.thejourneyback.info

Starring: Philius Kevin Locke David Metcalf Co-Staring: Rex Urwin, Gede Robi (Navicula), Ardi Sayuti, James Greenshields, Dave Gaffy, Martin Holland, Jerome Brookes-Metcalf, Bisin, Benyamin, Remond, Efred, Ramses, Sarang

Follow the project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LongSaanMovie?fref=photo

To get in touch directly with David please contact +62 8111 331255 or email davidmetcalf3@mac.com

The post Long Sa’an – The Journey Back appeared first on Asian Itinerary.