I’m on a boat!

The wildly (in)appropriate song I could not stop humming all day in Halong Bay!

Halong is breathtakingly beautiful but I was more intrigued by the legend behind it’s formation. The geology of course is fascinating, and I was glad to stretch those brain muscles from sedimentology lectures and field trips during my BEES days in UCC. But being just a little obsessed with mythology I loved a good mystical story!

Ha Long roughly translates to descending dragons, our hilarious tour guide went on to tell us the legend of Halong Bay.

Legend has it that during the early history of the country, the Vietnamese were in an epic battle with invaders. In an effort to protect the country, the Jade emperor sent a family of dragons who ascended from the heavens to help assist the ancient Vietnamese people in their battle.

The Mother Dragon and her children incinerated the enemies with their divine fire and emeralds, which scattered around the sea created an indestructible defense sinking enemy battle fleets. With the help of the dragons, the northern invaders were finally repelled bringing peace back to the country.

After the invaders were defeated; seeing the peaceful scenery on ground, lush plants, beautiful islands, and hard-working people who were diligent and solid to help each other; Mother Dragon and her Child Dragons did not return Heaven but stayed on earth where the battle took place. They remained in the mortal world to assist these ancient Vietnamese people. The location where Mother Dragon landed is Ha Long; the places where Child Dragons lay is called Bai Tu Long.

Exploring Thien Cung Cave wash a refreshing break from the scorching day outside.

Again my mind was blown.

This cave is referred to as the Heavenly Cave; not because the ceiling (pictured above) looks like clouds but because it looks like the ocean. The stalactites are the islands of Halong and we are looking from heaven down on the bay, this is what the dragons saw to make them turn back and stay. I swear when the tour guide said this I was stunned silent for a few minutes!