Finally we slept reasonably well… it’s been such a long time ????

Head down for breakfast and we spot a pet Peaceful Dove they own coo-ing away; she’s 12 years old and sadly in quite a small cage but seems happy and very friendly to humans

We have some banana, some coffee and some DIY eggs and salad bahn mi

After, we pop up to get ready and head out to the boat station, escorted by our hotel host

It seems the tours here are a little backwards as you have to rent the boat at a flat rate of just shy of £20 – the boats take up to 12 tourists so you split it but you have to find people yourself!

About an hour later waiting around the station, we’ve collected three other English-speaking couples, totalling eight of us

The tour starts and we’re on a large sampan-like boat with a roof and taken on the Song River for about 2.5 kilometres

About 20 minutes later, we arrive at the mouth of Phong Nha Cave; the tour includes taking us through this

The boat is switched off and we’re paddled through, for about 20 minutes, to meet the maximum distance we can go and then turn back to the start

Near the entrance, we get off and explore the innards of the cave

Next, we make it to the mouth of the cave again where we see the Swifts that are flying about as well as some fish in the very clear water – we learn this is where the origin of the river actually starts

We wander up some steps to take us out of the cave and some more that take us to the entrance of a walk to another cave: Tien Son Cave

Without realising, this cave is up high on this limestone mountain so we clamber up

It takes us a lot longer than we would have liked, if we were lucky enough for more manageable temperatures!

The views are nice on the way up though

We make it and venture through taking in the sights of thousands of years of formations, including “cave bacon” and “flow stone”

The cave actually has a circular path which is a nice touch; only one bit of the cave was graffitied so not too bad

Back out, we make our way to the boat to take us back to town – we’re in a bit of a rush as we’re due to be leaving Phong Nha on a bus around 3pm

Once we’re at the station again, Davesy makes a dash and – you guessed it – we’re back to Bamboo Chopsticks

Note: we hate to eat at the same place so many times but when you’ve been poorly from some other food – and you’re not even sure which restaurant was to blame – you have to be safe!

We order a couple fruit salads and orange juices to take away and then make it to our hotel just about in time

… However, it turns out our bus wasn’t allowed to leave in order to make it on time here, three hours ago ????

Though, there are certainly worst predicaments to be: we are able to lounge in our pool and do some work to kill the three hours additional wait

After about two hours, we get showered and dry up – we even have a little guest with us enjoying the outside shower!

The hotel offers us some roasted nuts to share with their family which is sweet

We know we need something a little more substantial before making our, at least, four hour bus journey so, go back to Bamboo Chopsticks *again*

A cheeseburger, a spag bowl and two local drafts as a send off from this little place

We scamper back to the hotel and – of course – the bus is still late – this gives us time to spot a Rat that goes by the wall in our hotel

Thankfully, though, it does turn up ???? we board and start the journey

Not long in, we have a chance to go to the loo so Daisy takes the opportunity and is quite shocked by it – first experience having holes in the ground as the toilet with no privacy as well!

Anyhoo, the journey goes on and we finally reach Huế, at just after 11:30pm (so about 4.5 hours late) – we’re welcomed by a lovely, noisy doggo too

Dave quickly organises a ride to our hotel from this drop off and we’re driven to Stop & Go Boutique Homestay

We get in and have a very quick shower and just about collapse!