Phong Nha in May

It's been a busy month so far, we've been doing lots of work (partly due to the Good Morning America filming) and also just the way the rota has worked out. Still, it's all money in the bank!

Sunset from the Phong Nha Farmstay

But we've also had some time off, a few days together but also some on our own when just one of us has been on a tour. Even then, we're not completely on our own (unless we want to be!) as there are always some other cavers about.

Flame Trees in bloom

During the day (at the moment) it's very hot here in Phong Nha, with temperatures of about 34°C, although in the jungle and caves it's not quite so bad. At least our air conditioning seems to be working (being on the ground floor helps as well) so our room is cool at night, some of the others are not so fortunate as their air conditioning does not work so well.

Rice drying at our neighbours

When not working, or cleaning gear, there isn't a great deal to do, especially as it's so hot (even at night). At least, that is the case for us, the locals are still busy with the rice harvest as well as corn and peanuts.

Sunset over rice fields

There are a number of limited options. For lunch we can go to Oxalis to spend our food allowance or we can go further afield to The Pepper House or the Phong Nha Farmstay, both of which have swimming pools, I prefer The Pepper House as it's quieter and you can cycle to it in under an hour on pleasant back roads.

The View from Ho Khanh's Homestay

Swimming in the river from Ho Khanh's is always popular and helps to keep you cool, not as nice as a swimming pool but only five minutes away.

Just bobbing along

There is also a short scenic cycle loop on quiet roads and tracks which we do, it takes about an hour and loops round the back of Phong Nha.

Hay drying on the road behind Phong Nha

Then passes through rice fields with an area of tombs with good views of the surrounding hills.

This tomb is being renovated

Before joining a road beside the river and so back to Phong Nha. On our last ride we saw the barge below, it's so low in the water that it looks like it is sinking, not the case as it seems designed that way! It's basically how the locals get their building sand, the barge dredges it up from the river, then moors near the land where the sand is to be delivered. The sand is mixed with water and pumped ashore, the water drains away, leaving just the sand.

Jump for it, the boat's sinking!

Just got back from a Tu Lan four day tour, and the weather is even hotter, 36°C and feels like 40°C. Not much to note from the tour, but I did see the most unusual spider in the toilet. It's the web that's odd, it has an X in the middle of it. According to Wikipedia, the X reflects UV light and may help to attract prey, it is also thought possible that the X may stop larger animals from accidentally destroying the web.

X marks the spot