Berry's SEAJ trip Day 11: Another motorbike adventure (6/16/15)

We planned today to get into the park to see the Dark and Paradise cave. So we rented some scooters and while doing this, Alys (UK lady) and some of her friends rented scooters from the same place so we join groups to save some money (Alys just rode with me instead of renting a scooter) and head out.

Regrouped at the gas station on the outskirts of town. Group is ready for some exploration!

On the way, one of the bikes runs out of gas (like I mentioned previously, they put so little gas I the tank that you may not make it to a gas station) and we get it to a station and everyone fills up and we are on our way. The ride is beautiful and once again I am wishing I had  a long sleeved shirt. First we arrive at the Dark cave to avoid crowds later in the day. It was awesome! Unfortunately they do not allow cameras that are not waterproof (for good reason) so no pictures but was a great time. First you zip-line across and down the river to an embankment and swim around in the cold water a bit before heading to the cave. We climb up the ladder and walk into the cave. As we get deeper, we start spelunking through some mud avenues and get to the mud pit with about 8-12 inches of mud in the bottom. Interestingly enough, the mud makes you float (think bizzaro quicksand) and you cannot sink even if you try to. It is pretty cool to play in that. After covering ourselves in the mud, we then walk back and get to the water to rinse off what we can. We then enter another pool of water and swim to the end of the cave (mind the jagged rocks underneath by swimming on your back with elementary backstroke).

Dark cave home base. Couldnt take cameras on the trip (makes sense with the swimming in the water and what not) so this was about as good as it gets. Berry is excited to go ziplining and mud floating.

That tower in the distance is where you zip line from over the river towards the cave entrance. We beat the crowds which was great as the pavement was hot and I would hate to wait on there for a line to get to the zipline.

Once at the end, we are told to turn off our lights and the cave is pitch black. We then are told to swim back which is kinda cool swimming in a pitch black cave. We leave the cave and kayak back to the starting place where they have little zip lines you can launch yourself into the river and do flips, as well as some floats and swings you can enjoy the water with. We swam a little bit then dried off and had lunch there before continuing on our journey to Paradise cave. On the way, Andrew's bike (he bought it in HCMC and was riding north) started acting up (bad carbs) but we got there. We go into the cave after a decent walk, and the cave is massive and very impressive. This was the cave that the people tell travelers to go to if they only have time for 1; now I know why. Beautiful formations and colored lights lighting up the cave walls and a good km or 2 of walking until you get to the end. Takes forever due to stopping and enjoying the the spectacular sights in the cave. Once we get to the end, we chill for a break while enjoying the cool air and appreciating the nature around us.

This is the payment information for the paradise cave. Berry wanted to see how much it would cost for him to enter.

After paying, we walked up a walkway then climbed some stairs to get to the entrance of the cave. This was one of the views on the way. Berry wanted to go higher.

Berry made an 8 legged friend as we were looking out at the scenery so we took a picture together.

Here is Berry's friend. Just chilling in his web. 

At the entrance of the cave, we look down at where we will be going. kinda intimidating. 

Status update - gone down a little bit but entrance still visible. Clearly there is way more steps that need to be descended. 

This cave doesnt stop going. We got to the bottom and the path just keeps going back. 

Path to the back. See what I mean. These pictures do not do the size justice. 

Beautiful cave. You really understand why they call it Paradise cave as you walk around it.

Berry enjoying some of the rock formations in the cave. 

We will call this the living room of the cave. Yuge and Beautiful. 

Still on the search for the end of the walk way. If I remember right, it took us an hour or so to get to the end of the cave. We were taking pictures but its not like we stopped for 5/10 min breaks here and there.

Looks like we are coming to the end. I was hoping it would never end as it felt magical in there.These caves were the first time in 2 weeks I stopped sweating. 

THE END!

Once we get back to the bikes, we send the troubled one ahead as it started right up so figured it was fine; it wasn't We catch up with Andrew and he has a bus pulled over trying to help him; the people in Vietnam (and really everywhere I went) are incredibly helpful and friendly people. Eventually a truck pulls over and we get them to take the bike and Andrew and Steph to the hostel as this way they had a phone in case of emergency and another bike we had that had a low tire didn't have to have 2 people on it for the ride back.

Berry is ready to get back on this bike and scoot back home. 

Our group is huddled up as Andrew's bike is not staying on. We try and diagnose, but doesnt work. Eventually a truck comes by and helps out. Good Samaritans all over this great country! Berry is glad cause he doesnt want to get stuck out here.

Stephanie and Andrew share a ride back with some friendly locals who had room in their truck for Andrew's bike that broke down during today's trip. 

So they got to hostel and bike to the mechanic. Our group then headed back and stopped on the side of the road as there was a beautiful sunset happening and we wanted to stop and appreciate its beauty. So we did for a bit a couple times as we headed back from different vantage points. We get back and the city is without power, has been all day. This seems to be a normal occurrence as everyone has generators and is business as usual. Eventually power is restored so we grab dinner and drinks as most of the group departs in the morning.

We are heading back and realize the sun is starting to set so we try and get some good pictures of the area in this twilight time. 

Berry was loving the mountains as the sun was setting behind them. 

The farm we waded out to to get off the road to get some good sunset pictures. Berry felt at peace.

Berry and I were loving being in the mountains with all this beautiful scenery around us.

Clouds allowing the sun to play with them.

Berry and his panorama shots. Gotta love that bear.

Pictorial evidence of bliss.

Our biker gang. Some locals came out and enjoyed the sunset with us. It is great when you see young kids appreciating nature like that. 

Rice farmers planting the fields out in the distance.

Our town in the distance as we make our way back to it. 

Those are my feet. If you look at those tan lines, that is due to me wearing these sandals every day that are for trekking. As of this writing (11/2016) they are still there.