Work Trip, Cute Kids, and a Triathlon

I am finally getting a chance to work on some interesting environmental projects here in Vietnam (it only took me 6 months to line up enough contacts!). Most recently, I was able to attend a workshop put on by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Hoi An to discuss the current status of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the country and their role in protecting sea turtles. MPA managers from all over the country attended and my rudimentary Vietnamese language skills are definitely coming in handy. We had the opportunity to visit a nearby MPA on Cu Lao Cham Island, which is mostly undeveloped and beautiful. Locals were selling/eating all manner of sea creatures caught around the protected area. Looks like this conference will result in a short paper, and then I'm off to another spatial zoning conference next month. Between these and my recent contract to work on land-based marine pollution, I'm feeling pretty good about my opportunities here!

Two weekends ago, Nikki and I visited a local orphanage with our friend Dave and his girlfriend. The orphanage had over 300 kids aged 0 to 16 who just wanted a little attention. We literally walked into rooms where 20 two and three year olds would raise up their arms, begging to be picked up. We spent a lot of time holding and playing with the kids, and distributed milk and treats that we had brought along. Now we are trying to organize return visits with other consulate folks

Last weekend, Nikki and I drove 4 hours east to Mui Ne, in the desert-like province of Binh Thuan to compete in the Le Fruit Offroad Triathlon (http://www.vietadventure.vn/eventdetail/item/2). We have been training fairly regularly for the race, but were totally blown away by how difficult it was!! For the swim/bike/run, Nikki's distances were 300m/20k/4k (my distances were about twice that). Sounds easy, right? Wrong! First, the ocean swim was pretty rough (Nikki swallowed several gallons of seawater). Next, the bike included an offroad portion where you had to actually carry your bike over a series of sand dunes – Nikki had her cruiser 1 ton mountain bike, which made this portion especially tough. For my race, I actually had to do the dune section three times. Finally, the run was on the beach, and we all know how much fun sand is to run in!

The good news is that the area was stunningly beautiful, and Nikki and I both finished the race. We made a couple preparation mistakes (e.g. did not bring any Gatorade/gu/energy bars for the 3 hour+ competition, and I didn't quite carry enough water – idiot!), but in the end we were proud of ourselves for gutting it out. I placed third and was 16 minutes behind the winner, but totally bonked on the run, so I know I can do better next time). We treated ourselves to a relaxing morning at Mui Ne beach the next day, lounging by the pool and in the waves before jumping in the car for the long drive home through bizarre dragon-fruit plantations.

Next week is Mission Cup – a major soccer game between the HCMC Consulate and the Hanoi Embassy. Everybody has been gearing up for it and we are hoping to win for the third year in a row. Last weekend we had a cupcake fundraiser at the consulate which was super fun – I made hideous, yet delicious peanut-butter chocolate ones – yum! This week, the team is making final preparations. Saturday is the big day, so we gotta rest up!