A short clip from the villages of Chame and Manang in the Annapurna region of Nepal. Included is a brief interview with a local conservation officer.

Contact: +64 6 870 8466; Email: inquiries@earthlimited.org

Another important thing that I gained was a deepened sense of hope amidst the very clear evidence of overpopulation, pollution and environmental degradation in many countries. There are people, a minority still, who are acting for the future now. I’ve talked about this as I shared stories from our journey.

What I also gained was a deepened understanding of the long-term connection to nature that exists in many countries, both eastern and western. This connection is not always obvious, but it is evident in some landscapes and in the things that some people are now doing. There is a renewal, a reawakening, a rethinking of things that is beginning to emerge. My experience of this was cause for reflection on New Zealandwhere we are still working out how to live together and with our unique, but hugely modified, environment.

With only 4 million people and an abundance of natural resources, surely we can get it right? If we can’t, who can? What we need to do, and this is a very big challenge for New Zealanders, is to embrace our past, look beyond our differences and start working together for our collective future much more than we are. I hear it said that we can’t look forward until we have effectively dealt with the past or resolved our differences. Will we ever? There is a different way. By working positively together for our shared future we will also find ways to address the many social, economic and environmental issues that we have. In my view it is a matter of urgency that we do this. Change is happening in the world to a much greater degree and at a much faster rate than we fully appreciate here in New Zealand. I’m not a doomsday person but I do believe that we are either going to choose or be compelled to work together much more than we presently are. If we do this by choice and with vision then we have real potential to provide leadership for the world.

When we came to the home of Mao’s parents-in-law we were met, and very warmly welcomed, by a very sprightly, vibrant couple … Luu Chi Kien, 78 years and Nguyen Thi Xuyen, 72 years old. We had most of the day, so there was no rush. First was the welcoming ritual of green tea, and also a toast “Chuc Mung Nam Moi” of herb-infused rice wine to the New Year.

Caption 1, Photo 11March 010: Gavin and Karen with Luu Chi Kien and Nguyen Thi Xuyen

Caption 2, Photo 11March 015: Lena and Alice with Luu Chi Kien and Nguyen Thi Xuyen

It was very evident that here was a wise couple, people who have been farming the land since they were children and have seen many changes. We set up an interview in their home. They talked about the clearing of forest that happened in the 1960s.Temperatures have become warmer and they are not getting as much water as in the past. They have replanted the forest behind their home garden and are busy planting trees in other areas to protect precious water resources and keep local temperatures cooler. Their neighbours are doing the same. It is clear to them that humans are the source of the problems they are experiencing locally and that they are aware of globally. The solution is simple, to live more harmoniously with the natural environment.

Luu Chi Kien then took us for a walk through his forest and along the way shared his deep knowledge and wisdom about medicinal values of the many plants growing there.He is man full of energy, vitality, humour, compassion and much wisdom. It was a great honour to spend time with him.

Caption 3, Photo 11March 036: Luu Chi Kien, a very wise man, imparting local knowledge about the medicinal value of the many plants in the forest, carrying a global perspective

Caption 4, Photo 11March 050: Mao with Gavin filming in background

Caption 5, Photo 11March 052: A very strong and sprightly 78 year old!

Caption 6, Photo 11March 072: Bamboo reaching for the sky

After a very simple, delicious, lunch prepared in their farmhouse kitchen we walked along the country path to the place where the rest of the family were busy planting trees. The taxi that we had hired in the morning collected us from there and we drove back towards Mao’s village where we met her mother. It was wonderful to also meet her and unfortunate that we didn’t have more time.

Caption 7, Photo 11March 098: A simple, delicious, lunch prepared in the farmhouse kitchen

Caption 8, Photo 11March 116: Heartfelt thanks and goodbye to Luu Chi Kien

Caption 9, Photo 11March 141: The wise Nguyen Thi Xuyen sharing with the young, planting trees for the future

Caption 10, Photo 11March 145: Trees, rice paddy, water, people, a harmonious environment

By yesterday I was ready to be moving, but we’ve had to wait for my former student to return to Thai Nguyen City, 2 hours north of Hanoi. That’s where we are heading this afternoon and will be going out to see some farmers in that area with Mao. Thai Nguyen province is famous for its green tea production. We’re not sure about internet access from there, so may not be able to send updates until we come back through Hanoi on Tuesday evening.

We’ll be catching a night train then down to Hue.

My number one goal in Viet Nam is to get down into the Mekong Delta and will be doing as much as I can to ensure we make the most of the remainder of our time here. I read this morning in the English Viet Nam News that the Mekong Delta is experiencing drought, forest fire risk and salination problems because of low water levels. Current predictions are for a late start to the monsoon this year. I’m very interested to get out into the Delta area and talk more to people about what they are experiencing, and hopefully we can meet some people who are working for the future.

Tomorrow we’ve booked a local tour, with a car and tour guide to accompany us, northeast of Hanoi for the day. We’ll be visiting a craft village and stopping where we can to talk to a few farmers and do some filming.

We’ve also now made contact with my former MPhil student, Mao, from my days as a Senior Research Fellow at University of Waikato. We’ll be heading north of Hanoi, to Thai Nguyen, on the weekend and doing some things there for a couple of days. So things are starting to move again.

Caption 3 (1-2Mar 100): Yaowaluck Sukseeleang (rice farmer, on left), Pattapee Poungsuwan (vegetable farmer, in middle) and Pacharee.

Caption 4 (1-2 Mar 102): Gavin and Lena discussing sound problems

Yaowaluck Sukseeleang and Pattapee Poungsuwan both had their farms right next to the café, so we went into the field to talk to them some more.

Yaowaluck is an amazing woman. She learnt rice growing from her parents, beginning when she was 10 years old and has now been a rice farmer for 29 years. Yaowaluck farmers 56 rai (about 20 acres, or 8 hectares) on her own. At times in the past she has felt depressed and tried other work. People think farming is a dirty job, but she is clearly very passionate about her work and life as a farmer. Yaowaluck is a true leader for the future.

Caption 5 (1-2 Mar 113): Yaowaluck Sukseeleang, organic rice farmer, Naku Village, Naku Sub-District, Pughai District, Ayutthaya Province

We then walked down the road to Pattapee’s farm. He stopped growing rice and shifted to organic vegetable production for the Bangkok market. This was a more financially viable option for him, as well as good for the environment.

Caption 6 (1-2 Mar 137): Pattapee Poungsuwan, organic vegetable grower, Naku Village, Naku Sub-District, Pughai District, Ayutthaya Province

Caption 7 (1-2 Mar 163): Yaowaluck Sukseeleang, on left, outside her farmhouse

Caption 2 (1-2Mar 086): Night scene at Ayutthaya

Fortunately today has been a bit quieter, a short trip (1 hour) by taxi to the old city of Ayutthaya and visiting some of the old Wat (temple) ruins (in incredible heat and humidity). We actually ordered the taxi to take us to the train station, but then the taxi driver said he would take us all the way for 700 baht (less than NZ$30).

Tomorrow we’re going out to a local village….our last bit on the ground in Thailand.

We spent part of the afternoon visiting some of the ruins of Ayutthaya with our new host, Khun Yai. In the evening we went to a night market for dinner by the river and then drove around to enjoy the ruins lit up at night time.

Caption 11 (25to28Feb 195): Mr La Ong Dao, “I am a winner!”

Caption 12 (25to28Feb 197): Lena setting up for interview with Mr La Ong Dao

We’re now back in Bangkok ahead of the last leg of our journey in Thailand, and then on to Hanoi on Sunday. We don’t yet know what is in store for us in Viet Nam, but are feeling very confident after such warmth and generosity from our Thai friends. We can’t say enough to thank you all.