To hell and back

Trip Start Nov 21, 2009

Trip End Feb 11, 2010

Loading Map

Map your own trip!

Map Options

Show trip route

Hide lines

Where I stayed

Dong Hai Family Hostel

Flag of Vietnam Cam Ranh, Vietnam
Sunday, November 29, 2009

No, it's not what you think. We had an awesome day out with Bi, the owner of the hostel we're at. She and her brother Vu took us on an all day tour on scooters. We saw some incredible scenery in places we never would have dreamed existed. Nothing beats a local guide. I doubt that public transport even goes there; we certainly didn't see any. Bi explained the history of the bay and islands, and supplied numerous facts about everywhere we went. I asked her a couple of questons at different times that she couldn't answer, and she went and asked someone so she could explain.
As concerns "to hell and back", we went to Tu Van pagoda and it had a man-made system of caves called the eighteen levels of hell. I've attached a short video of part of the trip, and it was pitch black in places. Good thing we had a torch handy. The monks there sell candles so you can get through with a minimum of pain, but I still managed to bang my head and knee. The structure is actually made of coral and seashells stuck together with concrete. Australian O.H&S would have the joint shut down in a heartbeat. Good thing it's not in Oz.
There was also a mile of statuary of all manner of animals and mythical creatures, and a section with statues depicting different stages of the life and journeys of Buddha. Altogether well worth the effort. Another brilliant day in Vietnam.

Slideshow