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The
grotto is on Driftwood Island. Seen from
afar, the entrance to the grotto appears
to be blue, and has a shape similar to
that of a jellyfish. After 90 steps up
the island, the entrance is reached. The
ceiling of the grotto is about 25 m.
Hundreds of stalactites falling down
from the roof of the grotto look like a
waterfall.
The
grotto is divided into three main parts.
The
exterior is a room with a vault full of
natural light. Many forms may be seen in
the rock formations of the chamber,
depending on the imagination of the
visitor of course.
Crossing
the first chamber, one enters the second
chamber through a narrow passage. The
light here is mysterious, and new images
appear in the stone. It makes us having
a fear and be inquisitive.
The
third chamber of the grotto is widely
opened. At the end of the grotto is a
well of clear water. Looking up in the
dim light we recognize that surrounded
is the image of an ancient citadel and
a scuffle of elephants, horses, man with
bristly sword and spear. All are making
a rush and be petrified suddenly.
The
name Driftwood Grotto came from a
popular story of the resistance war
against the Yuan - Mongolian aggressors.
In a decisive battle, Trân Hưng Ðậo was
given the order to prepare many ironwood
stakes here, to be planted on the
riverbed of Bạch Ðằng River. The
remaining wooden pieces found in the
grotto have given it its present name.
And
the name Giâu Gô is associated with the
legend that General Trân Hưng Ðạo
(1226-1300) hid ironwood stakes in
preparation for the Bạch Đằng battle
against the Yuan-Mongolian invaders.
If
the
Thiên Cung Grotto is
monumental and modern (in its natural
form), then Driftwood Grotto is solemn,
but also grandiose. In "Marvels of the
World," published in France in 1938, the
author called the grotto "Grotte des
merveilles" (a site of many marvels)
In
the first chamber, in the very middle of
the grotto, is a colossal pillar
supporting the large vault. On the top
of the pillar, there appears to be a
monk draped in a long, dark cloak, with
his right hand clasping a cane.
The
second chamber is narrow. Here, the
stalactites look smaller but more
graceful. One feels like going to a
pagoda with a monk in meditation so that
one steps more gently.
The
third chamber features high stone
columns out of which nature has carved
images of a large kingdom, of heroes and
soldiers holding swords and spears
rushing up, of war elephants and horses
or lions, etc. All of them suddenly was
petrified and remained there for good.
In
1917, Emperor Khải Ðịnh came to visit
the grotto, and amazed by the beauty |