Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Ha Long Bay Ranks 3rd

Monday, February 18, 2008

Ha Long Bay Ranks 3rd

Ha Long Bay ranks third in vote for world wonders
World heritage site Ha Long Bay on February 17 ranked third in the list of votes for the seven natural wonders of the world.
The information was released at the website: www.natural7wonders.com of the NewOpenWorld organisation.
This was the highest place that Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay has occupied since the voting began in August 2007. The bay has always been included in the top ten list among over 200 nominated natural landscapes around the world.
Besides Ha Long Bay, two other Vietnamese locations, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Fansipan Mountain, were ranked sixth and ninth, respectively.
The final results will be announced on August 8, 2008.
The bay, whose name means “Descending Dragon”, has been recognised as covering more than 430 sq. km and is dotted with nearly 800 limestone islands that rise spectacularly from the sea, and is renowned for diverse geographical features such as a unique system of caves that were formed by the encroaching water.
Geological attractions aside, Ha Long Bay is home to a diverse ecological system that includes mangrove forests, tropical forests and coral reefs that are inhabited by more than 1,000 species of fish and marine animals.
The islands are also home to many species of birds, bantams, antelopes, monkeys and iguanas.
Ha Long Bay has twice been recognised by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage site. (VNA)

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.