Cat Ba Island to Cuc Phuong

The trip from Cat Ba Island to Cuc Phuong was probably the most beautiful and scenic of our different legs of this road trip-- we went from the quaint beach town of Cat Ba to the dense, mountainous rain forest of Cuc Phuong National Park within a day!  We started the day with breakfast and tea with Mr. Anh Tuan, the man who owned the hotel we were staying in on Cat Ba Island. As we headed out, he announced to the lobby of the hotel "I'm going to Haiphong with my new friends.  I may go all the way to Ninh Binh with them.  Maybe.  See you later."  Everyone looked slightly confused.  We got on the road, and followed Mr. Tuan down the winding roads to the dock.

Follow Mr. Tuan!

After we parted ways with Mr. Tuan in Haiphong, wee continued on to Ninh Binh, the city closest to Cuc Phuong National Park.  

 

Tea time, and a road side snack of what turned out to be a delicious coconut sponge cake sandwich with marshmellow filling, almost like a Vietnamese whoopie pie.  We just picked it because of it's smile.

We made it to Cuc Phuong National Park just in time to get a room at a little family owned guest house and take a quick trip into the park..

One of the many caves throughout the forest

We were surprised by how large the park was, and decided to spend another day and night in Cuc Phuong to explore.  The day ended with a delicious meal in the small town.  It was in the living room of a very kind family, where they had just set up one small table.  We were asked if there was anything we didn't eat, and about 15 minutes later were handed a plate of hot noodles, slices of beef, and wilted bitter greens; perfect on the cool night in the forest.