Hanoi - Tam Coc

Tam Coc, often referred to as 'Inland Halong Bay' is about 3 hours drive, south of Hanoi.  The boat cruise up the Ngo Dong river is rather scenic, dominated by rice fields and karst towers.  Tam Coc means 3 caves and we passed through these 3 natural caves (Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba), the largest of which is 125m long with its ceiling about 2m high above water. 

All these small boats, waiting for tourists, most of the lady rowers work part time especially during the peak tourist season

The boats are rowed by one or two local women who will also try to sell you their embroidery products like table cloths, table runners and T-shirts.  See how skilful this lady is, rowing with her legs, in fact all them prefer to row with their legs, not so tiring.  Although the fare is RM12 per boat, all-in, but these ladies expect some tips at the end of the ride and the rate is 1USD per person, otherwise you'll be stranded halfway, so said our guide!  The boat ride is 2 hours.

It's pitch dark when you enter the cave

There's light at the end of the tunnel!

On board this boat there are cold drinks, fruits, ..... she's waiting for boats to pass by so that she can sell her wares or she'll ask you to buy a drink for the tired out lady rower!

Passing through another cave, you can touch the ceiling of the cave while sitting down on the boat.  All in we passed through 3 caves.

Karst landscape along the way

Very scenic, looks like Halong Bay

This little boy was playing his flute when we passed by, on the way to a small temple before we boarded the boat.  He was good and quite a number of us gave him some token.

Any idea what this is?  It's baby duck egg, cost RM1 and our guide said he can afford to treat us this delicacy, because it's cheap.  The duck egg needs 21 days to be hatched but they boil or steam it on the 18th day thus making sure that the baby duckling is fully developed.  Seems it's nutritious and delicious and gives you 'Power'!  Certainly not my cup of tea, but one of our fellow Malaysians tried this and commented it was ok, he felt recharged!  It's a very common breakfast or supper in Hanoi.

More pictures coming in my next post, hope you have enjoyed them so far!

 Have a Happy and Joyful 2010!

Warmest regards from

Cheah and family