🎵 Climb Every Mountain 🎵

Well I didn't climb every mountain in Da Nang, but 2 of 6 in one afternoon ain't too shabby. You have all probably seen images of the iconic karsts in Halong Bay. Last visit, I overnighted on a boat exploring these features. 

A karst is a landscape made of a combination of limestone, marble, dolomite and/or gypsum that are all water soluble. Over time caves, tunnels, sinkholes and springs are created through weathering. 

There are 5 karsts grouped together in Da Nang, collectively known as the Marble Mountains. They are named after the 5 elements: water, fire, earth, metal and wood. All have caves and tunnels, and were mined for their marble until recently. Ecological concerns led to the end of that process. The tallest of the 5, Water Mountain is the only mountain open to the public. 

In the 18th century, the mountains were designated a holy place. Wooden structures were built on the mountains and in the caves. Over the years, stone and marble statues and pagodas were built, primarily on Water Mountain. The lower level of the mountain (Am Phu)was developed as a caution to people of the eternal damnation of Hell. Being condemned to Hell meant there was no chance of reincarnation and therefore no possibility of achieving Nirvana. 

People are judged by their deeds which determines their fate after death. 

If one felt unjustly judged they were allowed a court hearing with judges led by a supreme justice.

There are 9 levels of Buddhist Hell, level one for minor offences such as lying, ninth level for the most heinous crimes.  We descended into the Hell caves. 

Luckily we were all deemed to not be Hell material and were able to return to life. Mind you our legs were rather sore after our crouch walk through the Hell tunnels and the numerous stairs and then we were faced with climbing to the summit on the 400ish stone steps carved from the mountain - uneven, varying heights, slippery. 

So maybe we weren't out of the woods yet. 😮 Three of our group chose to pay to take the elevator up to the halfway point. And at that spot is the oldest pagoda in Da Nang. Buddha congratulated us on our resolve. 

These bullet holes are a testament that wars are fought in the most unlikely spots. 

The Viet Cong lived and fought from these tunnels. In one large cave a field hospital operated within shouting distance of the US Air Base beside the mountain. It was not detected for a long time and when it was, the VC had the advantage of a working knowledge of the caves and tunnels. US soldiers tried to squeeze into the caves but it was a tight fit and only a very slow single file so they were picked off one by one. 

The cave at the summit of the mountain is the holiest spot. This lady Buddha was literally carved from the mountain, as was the Buddha below. 

The solid marble altar on the cave floor was carried up those 400 steps by men - it took them 3 months to get them to their current position.

Religious shrines represent Nirvana at the top of the mountain. 

Several holes in the roof of the cave were created by bombs. 

We visited later in the day and the sun was fading so we did not get the effect that many visitors hope to experience. 

We climbed back down to our van by a different route. Although there were fewer steps, the railing support was a must for me. 

We visited a nearby stone and marble works place. 

I do believe that the sofa and two chairs in this shot would make for rather heavy patio furniture. 😲

This company ships internationally. 

Earlier in the afternoon we visited Monkey Mountain which is not a karst. It is a nationally protected mountain forest - the home of the majority of an endangered monkey species, the red shanked duo langurs. Macaques also call the mountain home. Although it was hot, there were a number wandering about. We were told to give them a metre leeway. 

This mama is nursing her baby. 

The Mountain is also home to the second tallest Lady Buddha in Southeast Asia. She is 67 metres high and lost her number one position just recently to a 72 metre statue in Northern Vietnam. Several years ago fishermen discovered a Buddha that had washed ashore directly below the mountain. It was taken as a sign to do something in thanks for such a blessing. This is a BIG thank you. And of course Buddhas need temples. 

A view of Da Nang from Monkey Mountain ...

Today I did turn on the AC for the first time since arriving. A stretch of 30+ degrees with high humidity made for a change of clothes yesterday when I got home from the tour, and again today after my coffee walk. I've been lucky with moderate temps and laundry once a week from the start of the trip. This week there will be three laundries. I wouldn't want to have to deal with these conditions for a long period.