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The
grotto is on Driftwood Island. Seen from afar, the
entrance to the grotto appears to be blue, and has a
shape similar to that of a jellyfish. After 90 steps
up the island, the entrance is reached. The ceiling of
the grotto is about 25 m. Hundreds of stalactites
falling down from the roof of the grotto look like a
waterfall.
The
grotto is divided into three main parts.
The
exterior is a room with a vault full of natural light.
Many forms may be seen in the rock formations of the
chamber, depending on the imagination of the visitor
of course.
Crossing
the first chamber, one enters the second chamber
through a narrow passage. The light here is
mysterious, and new images appear in the stone. It
makes us having a fear and be inquisitive.
The
third chamber of the grotto is widely opened. At the
end of the grotto is a well of clear water. Looking up
in the dim light we recognize that surrounded is the
image of an ancient citadel and a scuffle of
elephants, horses, man with bristly sword and spear.
All are making a rush and be petrified suddenly.
The
name Driftwood Grotto came from a popular story of the
resistance war against the Yuan - Mongolian
aggressors. In a decisive battle, Trân Hung Dao was
given the order to prepare many ironwood stakes here,
to be planted on the riverbed of Bạch Ðằng River. The
remaining wooden pieces found in the grotto have given
it its present name.
And
the name Giau Go is associated with the legend that
General Tran Hung Dao (1226-1300) hid ironwood stakes
in preparation for the Bach Dang battle against the
Yuan-Mongolian invaders.
If
the
Thiên Cung Grotto
is monumental and modern (in its natural form), then
Driftwood Grotto is solemn, but also grandiose. In
"Marvels of the World," published in France in 1938,
the author called the grotto "Grotte des merveilles"
(a site of many marvels)
In
the first chamber, in the very middle of the grotto,
is a colossal pillar supporting the large vault. On
the top of the pillar, there appears to be a monk
draped in a long, dark cloak, with his right hand
clasping a cane.
The
second chamber is narrow. Here, the stalactites look
smaller but more graceful. One feels like going to a
pagoda with a monk in meditation so that one steps
more gently.
The
third chamber features high stone columns out of which
nature has carved images of a large kingdom, of heroes
and soldiers holding swords and spears rushing up, of
war elephants and horses or lions, etc. All of them
suddenly was petrified and remained there for good.
In
1917, Emperor Khqi Eịnh came to visit the grotto, and
amazed by the beauty of the place, ordered the
erection of an engraved stone stele singing the
praises of Hạ Long Bay and the grotto. Today, it
remains to the right-hand side of the entrance.
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