The Cave

Sung Sot Cave

When in Halong Bay and on a cruise you will be brought to admire a natural beauty in the form of a cave. It must have been a chalky area for many of the geographical features formed can only be the outcome of water on chalk. It's only a hundred steps up the cave. So achievable !

Actually you know I was joking , don't you? It's not fun climbing those steps.

The slippery path needed to be heeded.

However, the consolation is the steps are well-shaped and it made walking easier.

 The palette of the cave is patterned in the form of hardened droplets; a result of water on calcium.

When the feature continues into longer versions they form stalactites; like icicles hanging from the cave's rooftop. What a better way to teach geography. 

Sometimes the calcium droplets fall on to the base of the cave and 'grow' upwards to form stalagmites.

However when the stalactites and stalagmites meet, they form a pillar. So we saw some pillars too.

The tourists; including me were mesmerised by the majesty of such a natural creation. Tourists travelled thousands of miles to savour in such beauty. On top of that, the lights did good justice to the place. But actually In Malaysia we do see pockets of such caves at Gua Tempurung, Batu Caves and of course the Mulu Caves. It's ironical that I have not seen those caves. I must make it a point to visit them.

Lo and behold, this man was standing in front of my camera and to my consternation wearing this trendy look. He could be from anywhere...

Strange but true, some of the stone features took the shape of animals; like the one above was in the form of a tortoise. This animal has  a long life sometimes living up to a hundred years. So, people throw monies on it in the hope of having longevity too and I wonder who collects them?

I remember telling my students that it is not unusual to find running water at the base of limestone caves and they may even form rivers. So we also saw one running across the cave.

It is really interesting to see geography coming alive before your eyes.

Some stalagmites growing from the ground and this time Quan told us that the outstanding one is in the form of the goddess Kuan Yin. I saw some of the tourists stop by and bow in reverence of it.

 What is this? Your guess is as good as mine.
 

This pillar is so well-formed and enhanced by the lighting.

The environment is so natural.

That is another pillar in the greatest details.

 Beautiful.

Great Experience.

Before we left the cave, many took photographs with this background; Halong Bay.

The seas, mountains and waters are all natural features and blessings to earthlings.

May we continue to enjoy such panorama with little disturbance from wars and hatred.

The Sung Sot Cave.