Tam Coc and Hoa Lu

Tam Coc and Hoa Lu are towns in the Ninh Binh provence of Vietnam, like 2 hours south of Hanoi. Hoa Lu was a former capital city in the 10th century and Tam Coc is known for it's limestone Karst topography (much like Guilin, China). We spent about 3 days here as I was having severe troubles with my Minsk. Eventually we got it sort of running, enough to go more south. Lucky for us we stayed at a lovely hotel, Chez Loan that was predominately french guest and an owner who spoke vietnamese and french but little english. We still had a lovely time, despite the language problems.

Entrance to the Bich Dong pagoda in Tam Coc.

roots of a tree going up a wall.

take notice, tourists.

'nuff said :)

dragon statue.

going up a cave in the Bich Dong Pagoda complex

altar in the cave.

resting in the cave.

view from the top of the hill, looking out.

Kaja and myself on the hill.

Adam and Kaja at the top of the pagoda hill.

Karst landscapes.

more karst hills. I'm really not doing it justice, the area was beautiful

boat tours going out to see the caves. notice how the boat is being paddled... by feet rowing. pretty impressive.

cemetery neat tam coc. Vietnamese people do cemeteries well.

Adam and Kaja in the front as we get off our bikes to explore.

usual causes of traffic. cows, goats, horses and the likes.

local temple

small drum and bell tower in the local temple.

Outside the King Dinh Tien Hoang Temple. Hoa Lu people built this temple to worship King Dinh Tien Hoang. Born into a peasant family, he became the leader of a revolt against twelve feudal lords. He unified the country and founded the first centralized feudal dynasty in Vietnam

King Dinh Tien Hoang Temple

The cadillac of trees.

I got into a yelling altercation.

There was a tv crew for something and I just ran with it, as usual.

A little temple shrine of sorts in the hill near the King Dinh Tien Hoang Temple,

view from the top

with a black and white filter. hardly a difference.

local speciality dish of goat wrapped with herbs, veggies, and fruit in a rice paper. yeah, pretty freaking good