Today was a truly phenomenal day. I booked another "adventure" style tour from my hostel, and once again, it didn't disappoint.
Not only is the Phong Nha area just completely spectacular, but within the amazing hills are hundreds of caves - 5 which are open to the public for tours. The tour I went on did 3 of these, missing out on one that was used as a bomb shelter during the war, and the largest cave in the world which costs $3000USD to go into.
The first cave we went to was more of a temple and memorial, the Eight Lady's Cave, where 8 people were trapped after seeking refuge from bombings, only to have the entrance collapse, and died 8 days later. It was a from start to the day, but an interesting insight into the of the area.
The next cave was Paradise Cave. We covered the first kilometre of the cave, with the rest mostly closed off apart from eco tours and scientific research. I thought this cave was amazing. The ceilings were higher than any building I've been in, and the rock formations were just incredible.
Even a slow walking Chinese tour group didn't diminish from the awe-inspiring place.
We stopped for lunch after this where I wish I had said I was vegetarian, because their meal looked so much better than mine, but it was tasty none the less.
We then got geared up for the dark cave. In just a bikini, life jacket, harness and helmet, we ziplined to the mouth of the cave, and swam about 20 metres to get into it.
The cave itself was one the coolest places I've ever been. After about a kilometre trek, barefoot through a narrow, slippery mud filled track, we came to a dead end with a mud pool!! It was about waist deep, and just the strangest, most amazing sensations!! It was as close to floating on a cloud as I can imagine.
After messing around in the mud for half an hour (could have stayed there all day) we headed back up the slippery path to a natural pond in the cave to clean off a bit, then swam back across the river to an adventure course.
Messing around on the zip lines, floating doughnuts and 5 metre high obstacle course was hilarious fun. Especially when the river was actually a giant crack between two beautiful mountains. The water was bright blue, and deeper than I could see, even though it was clear.
I really wish I could have taken my camera, but it would have been completely trashed.
After a shower (naked French mother included) we headed back to the bus and to the hostel for some food at the place next-door where I've made friends with their puppy.
Tomorrow, Ninh Binh xx