Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay is a unique place that inspires the imagination, with mystery that’s best explained by mythology. Ha Long Bay means “Bay of the Descending Dragons.” According to Myth, the dragons dropped jewels and jade from their mouths to form the 2000 limestone islands dotting the bay. Many people see the resemblance to the hanging islands in the science fiction movie, Avatar.
As an Acupuncturist on a cruise ship, I visited this bay many times and consider it one of the most magical places on Earth. Amidst emerald waters, the limestone islands majestically rise from the bay, enswathed with jade rainforests. These islands are called Karsts, a topography formed from dissolution of soluble rock (limestone). Furthermore, below these are caves and sinkholes for drainage.
Bay of the Descending Dragons…
It’s hard to imagine such a serene bay of Mother Nature was once a place of bombing and war. In 1964 I was born, the year the Beatles came to America. Also, sadly it was the first that Americans bombed Ha Long Bay. I was too young to understand the Vietnam War while it was happening. However, I’ve encountered many people or their loved ones who suffered from it over the years. As an Acupuncturist, I volunteered for Vietnam Veterans and heard their stories.
As an Acupuncturist on a cruise ship in Vietnam, I talked with many Vietnam Veterans and nurses from the U.S. and Australia. Many make a pilgrimage to Vietnam for a healing or a sense of closure. This is what Ha Long Bay became for me: a tranquil, healing part of Vietnam. It helped me to find peace and closure for the tragic time in the 60’s – 70’s, that’s haunted me since childhood.
Junk Boat Cruise in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay
Upon arrival, I set up a Junk Boat (old fishing boats) Cruise to explore these enchanting islands. There are many small boats that take you into the shadows of these towering rock formations. The junk boats are very simple without amenities, carrying about 50 people with an upper deck to observe the surroundings. We sail into the limestone labyrinth escaping into a surreal flow. The lush, viridescent islands, reflect on the water as a green dream, refreshing the mind with pristine nature.
Our 3-hour cruise flows through the islands, stopping at a platform for transfer to smaller boats, taking visitors into caves. I decline and hang out, observing the new light from the sun coming out after the rain douses me. Out of the shadows the light reveals gold and gray limestone formations with lush forests, all reflecting on the water. On the platform there is a small market selling colorful fruit and other produce.
Thien Cung Cave
After a half hour we sail on to the big cave called Thien Cung Cave. Once there, we all get off the boat climbing many steep stairs to this magnificent cave just discovered in 1996. The gothic interior with its high ceiling is stunning. It’s adorned by ancient stalagmites and stalactites frozen in time, as a geological masterpiece. The path is extraordinary with inspiration around each corner. The lighting showcases the beautiful colors of blue, gold, green and aquamarine from minerals among the subterranean spring.
From the cave, we make our way back on the junk boat through the limestone rock formations. It’s interesting to observe the intriguing shapes and colors of the different islands. Many are named according to their shapes, like Stone Dog and Teapot Islets. The mythology of Dragons dropping jade islands comes to life here. I feel the surreal dimensions as we make our way throughout these magical islands. Anything seems possible in this enchanting realm of nature’s wonder.
Feeling the many nuances of Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, I am sad to end our journey.
We were blessed to see these islands again the next morning on our cruise ship on the way out. The sun was shining so we could see the details alight from the shadows. There are many moods to Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay affected mostly by the weather. The rain and fog with shadows allude to mystery. In contrast, the sun brightens to reveal the intricate shapes and contours of these rock formations.
I was fortunate to return many times and never tired of observing the dream world of Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, embracing all moods and transforming adventures through its hauntingly beautiful islands. I am so grateful for being in the “Bay of Descending Dragons” wake, offering me a personal healing for Vietnam war memories, transforming them into more peaceful and inspiring thoughts about Vietnam in the years to come.
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