I was torn between Tam Coc and Trang An until the night we depart!
Tam Coc is more popular with overseas tourist while Tran An is not so touristy. Both also dubbed Ha Long Bay of the Land! Again, read tons of reviews online. The thing which really turned me off is Tam Coc is very crowded and the boat ladies keep bugging tourist for more tips! So I set my mind on Trang An first. Then I found out that all the day trips online were paired with another not so appealing destinations, either temple or ancient town.
 |
| This is what that impressed me so much. However, after reading lots of reviews, I changed my mind. It is no longer green nor yellow. |
I was hovering over it for days until I saw the picture of Mua Cave, and I told myself - Yes, this is what I like to see with my own eyes! I made a few enquiries online.
The only local tour agent that do Mua cave and Trang An in a day is a premium tour operator and this alone cost USD70/pax because it is a private tour and not a group tour.
The hotel did suggested an itinerary when I first made the reservation but I insisted on Trang An and were informed that they would brief me when we arrived. I do not like uncertainty at all. I like things to plan ahead so when we are there, we can just follow the plan and not to force to make any decision on the spot which usually doesn't end well.
So on the few days before we departed, I asked the father and the daughter about their opinion. The father replied that when come to temples, nothing can beat those in China and that nature certainly comes first before any man-made things, and so that was it, I confirmed with the premium tour operator on the night before we depart! USD70/pax x 3, with the RM in such a disgraceful state, I weighed over the value and the quality, in the end, the quality won. And today I am glad at what we did.
The story did not end here. When I checked my email in the hotel after we got back from Ha long Bay, the tour agency informed me that we would be joined by a German couple and so the cost would reduced to USD60/pax, and upgraded from a car to a luxury coach. I was more than delighted! We saved USD30 in total! Haha.....RM100++ more for shopping!
At 8.30am in the morning after our breakfast, we found ourselves greeted by a nice lady in the lobby.
Same as the day before, we were directed to a luxury coach and true enough, it was by far the most luxury coach we had travelled before!
The single seats are really comfortable and very roomy inside with only about 10 seats.
The lady spoke fantastic English and was very knowledgeable. The journey took 2 hours and had a break in between just like the trip to Ha Long Bay.
Quaint little town along the way.
I was well prepared mentally for Mua Cave as I already knew that it will be a climb of 500 steps! So my journey of climbing in Vietnam was getting more and more challenging! And I had made up my mind in the event that I find it too much to handle, I will just stay put and let them go ahead!
 |
| The surrounding area is quite well maintained even though it's situated in a very remote location. |
The path to the great view! The gazebo and the dragon at the top look unreachable!
So when we were climbing, I told the waiting guide and fellow tour mates to move ahead without waiting for me. I had wanted to give up at least thrice on the way, especially the last climb, it was so steep and my legs were shaking from the fear of height, if it was not for the encouraging words and the warm hands from my girl, I would had giving up!
 |
| It was just moderate at the beginning. Then it got really challenging! |
Anyway, I dragged myself and hauled my poor legs up of the big steps with many stop over and made it to the top.
1/4 way, the garden at the bottom.
Just look at how steep is this. Till today I can still recall how my poor legs protest against it!
The stone steps and the railing is actually very solid.
 |
| 1/2 way. It will be nice if the paddy is ripe. |
Last steps to reach the gazebo.
And again, before I could catch my breath, it was being taken away by the view!
 |
| Rewarding view and certainly worth the effort! |
Even though the paddy field is not green, it's still breathtaking!
Breath taking view for sure!
Tiny tiny boats down there! This is really high.
Love the layers of limestone karst in the background afar. It was simply astonishing!
My heart beat missed a beat seeing her sitting on the edge.
 |
| The edge is visible from this angle. |
On the other side, the tiny village lying down there quietly looked so magical!
There is a tiny pagoda on top!
And this, resemble a turtle!
Once again, we had a very great weather day to thank for. This is not something to do under the hot sun of summer!
The wind was very strong when we were there and that made the atmosphere even more dramatic!
 |
| The way down is usually easy. |
Anyway, to cut the story short, I was glad that I made it and when we reached the bottom, I received a round of applause from the guide and the German couple, haha...!
After this, the guide lead us to the cave and this was just some thing in addition after the highlight.
Very normal Tiger Cave.
 |
| Our fellow tour mate removed his shoes and walked in the stream to the end of it where there is a beautiful pond. |
And so our first half of the day ended perfectly as we drove to our lunch place of popular local goat meat dish!
 |
| Very quiet country side on the way to the restaurant. |
The restaurant is quite nice which is obviously catered only for tourist.
 |
Lunch was sumptuous with goat meat and many others. They even fried a fish and some eggs especially for me.
|
