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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. |