[monumentum]

Day #4: Mui Ne (3-May-2010)
Don't ask me why I chose to start with this shot. But this was taken in Fairy Spring opposite my guesthouse in Mui Ne, Quang Long Guesthouse. Perhaps it's how deeply the memory is burnt into me, for that was one of the most memorable places I'd been to throughout the entire stay in Vietnam. Can still feel the cooling, gentle current, along with fine red soil seeping in between my toes. Fine morning as usual when I took to the road. Of course that was 7.30am in Vietnam, but the sun was already so high in the sky. Roads along apparently barren lands. What a bleak outlook, yet you'd witness a few construction sites along the way, not forgetting the boundless seaview so mesmerising. Was trying to communicate with my guide who could hardly speak a word of English, enquiring about these sites, but not surprisingly he couldn't possibly have understood me. So I eventually gave up & let things be. I still wonder what they were building...
Abruptly stopping, we'd reached the Red Canyon. That's already quite some distance from Mui Ne. And so in the photo above there's evidence to justify why my blog is so named. Etched - I wish I could etch every corner of Earth within my lifetime. Though of course I did not practically go ahead to ETCH my name in this canyon like some other visitors who did. That, I'd say, is unkind to nature. Nature's already breathtakingly stunning on her own, without pitiful little 'touch-ups' we humans can contribute. What truly fascinated me was how the color of the canyon contrast with that of the sky... And how you could continue walking forever within this winding red maze without knowing where you're heading to. No, I did not walk till the end. But someone must have, for according to my guide, that would eventually lead to the seaside but would take a very very long time. So how does the hot colors of the canyon effect its viewers? Just by looking at the photo above, could you tell how much heat I experienced? My skin was painfully stung, even as I walked I could feel the sensation on the skin of my burnt thighs, brought about by the impact of feet on ground. Being me, who loves climbing things so very much... I climbed. Climbed up reddish mini plateau. Wasnt that 'mini' if you were climbing, judging by how far ahead you can see in the above picture, yes, those plateau were quite high and steep. So there, a shortcut. Neednt finish walking the entire stretch of canyon, & the supposed end was already visible. Climbing those left my hands and knees red with soil. Thankfully, scorching day that it was, the soil was dry & easily fell off, but it did leave orange streaks on my clothing, which I'd eventually have a great time cleaning! Done with the canyon, we headed to the white sand dunes. Near the entrance was lined with shady avenues, willowy pines. Horses grazing, & lily ponds topped up to form a photo-friendly composition.Though I admit that this photo is one with 'bangs'. Hah! What wit the leaves bordering the edges! All these suggested a 'grove', but who knew what would come their way...
What a stark contrast with the previous photo huh! The below was when the shades ended, giving way to open, boundless stretches of sand dunes. White compared to the yellow one yesterday? How nature work wonders in the world of colors. What remained the same was how fine the sand was, how it flowed smoothly like liquid in between your fingers. And of course, how similarly the heat reverberated in the air. Though it was fairly windy, the direct sunlight really works its way onto your skin. No, you'd probably hardly perspire, but the burning sensation on your skin is inevitable.

So when finally my perseverance gave way, I left the sandy dunes for further exploration. These were what I came across. More lily ponds... & people paddling in boats on it. Wedding photos probably. Vietnamese are so sincere. Back home we'd likely resort to pathetic studio backdrops for our wedding shots. That's how societies differ I guess? Most of us are too 'indoor' for our own sake!


More coastal roads & sea breeze! If only we didnt need helmets on bikes... That'd be awesome for a naked feel of nature at its best.
Ok, as previously mentioned, this is Fairy Spring again. I'd start from the beginning. Fairy Spring is hardly even a 'spring'. Rather, I'd say it'd be more appropriate to call it a 'stream'. Look at the photos I'd flood you with, then decide for yourself. A route commonly used by locals to pass between 2 villages - one along the coastal Mui Ne, the other deeper inland. You'd be asked to remove your footwear at the entrance of the 'spring' in order not to pollute the water. So this old lady was frantically gesturing to my feet when I tried to enter with my sandals on, which got me so confused. Yes, it took me some time to realise what she was trying to communicate. LOL.
Nonetheless, I've tied a whole bunch of the following photos. The number of them only serves to justify how I savored the experience of being there at all.
Hope you'd pay attention to how nature carved out a terrain so wondrous. Intriguing formation of the rocks, couldnt take my eyes off those. There probably wouldnt be 2 inches of surface exactly the same (Crappy uh?). I snapped innumerable photos, & only have chosen a fraction to be included... Apologies for playing with the white balance on my cam. Gee... Trial & error is one method to learn, isn't it?



The little Fairies of Fairy Spring. They offer to guide visitors to the eventual waterfall, warning you of deeper waters, which forested paths you gotta take to reach it, & some other trivia about the spring. Their English was somehow amazing; or was it just for the common phrases? So this little girl & her friend picked a leaf which surface was rather 'hairy', & showed me how beaded drops of water trickled down it. Interesting uh? (No sarcasm intended; it was cute ^^)
These were some children I met along the way, who apparently lived a straggling 2km away from where we were, but who visited the spring on foot everyday after school. Below is the waterfall the children would eventually bring you to. But of course, like every other things in Vietnam, these children would ask for money after they've brought you there. I gave a glorious 90k VND - everything I had in my wallet. A significant sum to me.. But oh well. Blame my soft spot for children, I didnt feel anything.
Ok, so another advice here. Should you visit Vietnam, kindly bear in mind to decline any offer of goods or services, however small, if you do not intend to part with any money for it. Most things come with a PRICE in this country. Even from young children or seemingly 'helpful' passers-by.




LOL. So I did more climbing... I climbed up the rocky sides of the stream. & there I was, so high I was overlooking a considerable stretch of it. Tiny people in the stream, you see? That was how high I was. It did take some effort & courage for the climb. Wasnt the sort of surface you'd wanna lay hands on, plus my feet were wet & slippery, compromising on grip isn't fun either.
Anyway, I never knew my lens would be so competent in wide-angle shots. Hmmm...
No it wasn't that I was playing with more settings on my cam. It was already really getting dark. About 5.30pm in Vietnam? Sufficient to drain substantial sunlight. Thus the gloom.
From below you'd gauge how far inland it actually was. With Mui Ne town right ahead along the coast..


So then, officially DARK. That was how I couldnt bear to leave Fairy Spring. A cluster of old folks crowds the entrance of Fairy Spring, who offer to wash your feet, & bench to sit on while you put your footwear back on. Again, after which, they'd request for money. No, this time I REALLY had nothing to give! I prefer children over old folks I guess.
After which, back to hotel to get some money (I'd given all away!), then headed for dinner. A little shop with really dim lights. The shot below was probably my 20th, before I had it acceptable enough without a tripod (Anyway I hadnt used a tripod throughout my entire journey. Amazing huh!). Pardon the poor depth of field! It's pho again. Guess I was in love with this local delicacy. Mint leaves & chilled green tea!! Sumptuous combination.
The end of the day was spent walking along the poorly-lit roads back to the guesthouse, washing, packing. Usual travel chores I'd eventually learn to get used to. & of course, moisturising!