The boat will be rowed, through three caves on
the river, all created by wind and water from a legend time, while the sea had
occupied this area. The tide-mark is still on the rock about 2m above the
water, and in higher mountainwall the erosion have carved some strange shapes
that now filled of green grass, delicious foods of the goats that local people
breed everywhere. If you are lucky, sometimes you can see mischievous monkeys.
The river trip is wonderful for photo hunters, especially when local people
come to harvest the water rice planted along the river, or when they transplant
some seedling for the next crops. The tourists often compare the place with Guilin – China,
or more closely, to the limestone islets of Halong
Bay in the Tonkin Gulf
for their similar geological structures and shapes. Thus Tam Coc is also called
Halong-Bay-On-Land. Hoa Lu is very near to Tam Coc, is the relics of the
ancient capital Hoa Lu – the remains are the temples dedicated to King Dinh and
King Le, the two heroes who lived in 10th century and chose Hoa Lu to build the
citadel of the capital city. From time to time, archaeologists have excavated
buried parts of this citadel with rusty weapons and ceramics. The temples are
said to be built on the old foundation of their original palaces in 11-12th
centuries and restored in 17th century. Though the temples are not maintained
entirely some precious antiques are still preserved well like the whole-stone
dragon thrones, wooden bas-relieves and lacquered statues of King Dinh, Kinh
Le, Queen Duong Van Nga who in turn got married both of the kings, and the
princes of the two dynastie
6:51 PM
