Halong Bay to Hue

We woke up today and enjoyed a sunrise Tai Chi lesson amidst the spectacular backdrop of Halong Bay. The funny thing was, I figured that I had taken more than enough pictures yesterday, and thus wouldn't need my camera before breakfast. Fortunately, Sarah was smart enough to bring hers because the pollution mixed with the spectacular scenery made for an amazing orange-red sunrise.

We actually went through that gap!

After another delicious breakfast, we explored Surprise Cave. It is called this because it has three chambers, and each one is larger than the last and provides more amazing surprises. In the largest chamber, the roof of the cavern must have been at least 70 feet high, and most likely much higher. Thus, after taking nearly a hundred pictures yesterday, I made an attempt to get the same number today. I made the decision to add this cruise to the top three most amazing trips I have ever taken. The other two are a hike through the bamboo forest at the Seven Sacred Pools near Hana, Maui, and the other  a tour of Putrajaia, a planned city, after it was mostly finished but before anyone had moved in to it. I would love to take a much longer cruise that would get us away from the convoy of boats that we traveled in.

Mai, David and Anita in the first chamber.

Sarah and I in the entrance to the second chamber.

Anita and Sarah after more than a half an hour underground.

The third chamber was enormous.

David resting before climbing out of the cave.

After the cave, you have to pass through the merchants.

After brunch, we disembarked and started our four hour drive back to Hanoi Airport. Along the way, we stopped in a small town that specialized in clay pottery. We got to watch families spinning large pots, creating ornate burial boxes, and making clay murals. It was a fascinating process, and they did an amazing job. 

The Vietnamese bury their dead for three years in a public graveyard, and then dig them up at midnight and place their remains in a burial box, and move them to a private location, like the family graveyard or farm. The second time the relatives are buried, a grave marker is erected. These are second burial boxes.

 

While walking down the street of the town children would shout out "Hi" to us. We had this happen when visiting Ho Chi Min's tomb, as well. The kids would say "Hello," and wave. Some reached out and touched us. Since there were hundreds of young children there on a field trip, it made us feel like rock stars. It wasn't just the kids, either. One couple stopped Sarah, asking if they could get their picture with her. We were all laughing at this. Ken, I don't think she looked like Colonel Sanders. We were told by our guide that the children were probably from a remote province and had never seen a white person before.

After arriving at the airport, our guide took Sarah and I through customs and where we were finally able to retrieve our luggage. We are both looking forward to the first change of clothes we will have since Monday. (I did purchase a new shirt and underwear so I could wash one pair and wear the other. I'm also looking forward to shaving. My head and face are beginning to look like a Chia pet. Unfortunately, I only had the luggage for about 30 minutes before I had to check it in for our next flight to Hue. We have just started our descent now, and I am really hoping that our bags made it on board.

UPDATE: Our luggage arrived in Hue, and our room was spectacular. If this is a 3 star hotel room, I wonder what a 5 star would look like.

Those are real flower pedals.