In the itinerary (part 6)

Before reaching Sung Sot cave (Surprise Cave), you’ll pass through Cho Da Islet (or Dog Rock Islet). You can recognize a block of limestone in the shape of a dog standing with its back towards the sea, guarding for the safety of seagoing boats for millions of years.

You may be having first lunch aboard on day 1, then remember to look out of the window to enjoy the view, or ask our tour guide to point you at the rock. 

It’s time to relax

By Phillip Cabrera

We had our final dinner with Project Vietnam Foundation (PVNF) Friday at a hotel restaurant in Hanoi. I got contact information from PVNF members and then we went our separate ways the next day. My class’s destination was Halong Bay. This entire trip has been one big highlight reel.

The bus ride to Halong Bay took three hours from Hanoi. We immediately boarded our private boat – an entire boat to ourselves for the night. It was time to relax and enjoy the scenery of what I consider to be one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I would come to Halong Bay for a honeymoon or would travel here with that special someone.

We went cave exploring and saw the Surprise Cave, which could easily have been mistaken for an Indiana Jones movie set. A great part for me while exploring the caves was the exercise. We hiked almost vertically to get to the entrances of the cave. The next morning, some of my classmates and I hiked a steep incline to the top of a lookout point. Other adventures included me putting my body to good use and setting off a sweet cannonball off the boat into the bay. The water was so cold that I didn’t want to stay in long, but that jump made it worth it. I swam with my classmate Keith, while my classmates Johnny and Lucio shot photos of our sweet dives. The rest of the class kayaked around the bay. Then we had dinner and relaxed for the rest of the night.

Geological Value

Forget the dragon, it's all about geology

By MARY ANNE SHULTS
For the Daily Titan

One of my former geology professors said the best examples of geology existed in California and in the Western United States. Death Valley, with its mysterious sliding rocks, Mojave Desert offers “rock jocks” the chance to study all three rock types, and lastly, the Colorado Plateau contains three geological wonders – now national parks – the most well known is the Grand Canyon.

Junk boats cruise through Halong Bay among the vast limestone pinnacles that jut from the teal-colored gentle water.

I have to thank my instructors who have passed on their passion to me as I’m more of a geology hobbyist. This week I experienced one of the most beautiful examples of the combination of plate tectonics, sedimentary layering I’ve ever seen, set in the beautiful Halong Bay in northeast Vietnam. The area is acclaimed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site of international geomorphological significance.

In the itinerary (part 2)

(Source: www.aslaexplorers.com)

Hang Sung Sot (Sung Sot Cave) was listed among the world’s most amazing caves by The Australian in February 2011.

Also known as the Cave of the Surprises, Sung Sot Cave is located in Halong Bay in Vietnam, and is made up of two chambers which form a deep grotto.