The Lollipop Gang took over the streets of Phong Nha on bicycles! There weren’t enough bikes, so Nini and I got free rides on the backs of Anh Vu and Anh Bi’s bikes.
The only way to enter Phong Nha Cave was by boat. We took a larger boat up-river past town, then found a smaller vessel powered by an old lady to take us into the depths of the cave. It was a glimpse of what we might expect to see in Son Doong. The formations here were grand and beautiful; how surreal would it feel to actually be in the world’s largest cave? The excitement was beginning to build.
Lyle and I were on the rooftop overlooking the river and town when we heard drums banging. At first I didn’t realize what it was; it was the school’s drum announcing the beginning of classes. We decided to head over to the school with the only bag of lollipops I had left. I couldn’t find the scratch and sniff stickers anywhere. We visited a few classes, and the teacher even had a couple of students practice speaking English with us.