Hi everyone,
We started the day early with our first ecolodge breakfast: eggs, sausages, pancakes with honey, mango juice, and fresh watermelon and mangoes. It was a delicious start to the morning. This stop has been a refreshing change from the bustling cities we had spent most of the trip in so far.
After breakfast, we took the bus to Quan Y Cave, also known as the Army Hospital Cave. Today it serves as a tourist destination, but during the Vietnam War, the vast cave system functioned as a hidden hospital capable of housing hundreds of patients at once. We learned about the clever and intricate designs that helped keep the hospital concealed from enemy forces. Cooking smoke was carefully routed away from the cave, self-filling water reservoirs were built inside, and the entrances were sealed with massive iron doors to protect those inside.
Then began the longest and most challenging hike of the trip. We arrived at Cat Ba National Park excited and ready for the adventure ahead.
Was it ever so adventurous.
We climbed up, climbed down, walked deep through the jungle, and crossed limestone valleys, over and over again. Along the way, we were surrounded by countless butterflies, the constant sounds of chirping insects, and more lush flora than one could imagine. Some of the leaves were so large that they could have covered an entire person.
After more than three and a half hours of hiking, sweaty and exhausted, but feeling very accomplished, we finally reached our destination: Viet Hai Village. We took a well-deserved break and treated ourselves to refreshing mango smoothies before resting.
The next thing on the agenda was learning how to farm. We prepped the soil with hoes, planted water spinach (also known as morning glory), and watered them. We wanted to take some time to connect to the land and understand some of the hard processes involved in us eating food every day on our trip. After 6 weeks, the plants will be ready for harvest and use.
Moving on, we walked through the village toward our next activity: a guide to Vietnamese house construction and interior design. We learned that natural ingredients are often used in the building process. Rice can be mixed with mud to strengthen walls, and coconut tree leaves are commonly used to cover roofs. It was fascinating to see how many parts of the surrounding environment are incorporated directly into the homes.
After returning, we went to get pampered with our highly anticipated fish massage. Tickles, laughter, and a lot of squirming. What a unique and fun way to end a long day. After a short rest, we ended the night with dinner and headed off to sleep, preparing ourselves for the final day of the trip.
On a side note: one moment from today stuck with me. After finishing the house construction tour, we walked back through a rice field. Farmers were hard at work, tending to the crops, and at one point, we even cut through what looked like someone’s backyard. Back in Canada, that would almost certainly be considered trespassing. Curious, I asked our guide whether this was allowed or considered rude. He explained that the fields belong to the government, meaning they are generally open for people to pass through. It was an interesting reminder of how differently land and space are viewed across the world.
