Let's Talk Geog

Constant mumurs and questions asking me if I'm excited to visit Vietnam. Having a penchant and passion for Southeast Asian politics and geography, the nations along the Mekong River have a special place in my heart. So quite, simply, my answer is "YES!!!!" And my enthusiasm has been sparked by our coming visit to the Ha Long Bay.

The Ha Long Bay is actually the reminant of a karst landform formed 5 million years ago, which creates thousands of limestone islands in the sea. The predominant process of erosion is solution, where carbonic acid reacts with the calcium carbonate in the limestone. A common landform left behind are limestone caves, one of which we will be visiting on this trip.

Culturally, the Ha Long Bay area is also very important to the Vietnamnese. Since pre-historic times, the bay areas has been home to many fishing communities. What is most interesting though, is that Ha Long Bay was actually Vietnam's first international trading port in the 12th Century. These days, the bay is used more as a tourism site, having been gazetted by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Enough trivia. Right now I'm just wondering if I'll be allowed to bring some rocks home to add to my personal rock collection! If I am charged for excess baggage, we all know why! (*TeeHee)

Miss Lim