Vietnam Diaries (Day 5): A Sense of Wonder

When UNESCO creates lists like the seven natural wonders of the world, one may think what the criteria for getting to the list are. I spent the last two days visiting one and I figured there is only one: how many people does it evoke a sense of wonder in?

During the two days at Ha Long Bay, I saw hundreds of the nearly 3000 islets. Of these, around 1969 are separated by water. Each islet further has a piece of art in it - in the forms of caves with natural carvings comprised of stalagmites and stalactites. They give you an out-worldly feeling. Some of these are massive enough to fit hundreds of people, some so tiny that you may have to wriggle your way through them. And to top it all, the backdrop of pristine blue-green waters and incredible sunrises and sunsets. 

Sung Sot Cave means 'Surprising' cave for a reason: Every turn is a new discovery

Every aspect of Ha Long Bay had been created over millions of years. Many forces of nature were at work - the wind, the sea waves, the tectonic shifts, the rain - on the limestone-rich surface under the sea. As much as we take pride in the spirit of human innovation, we are so far in terms of the power, complexity and sheer scale of creation that nature has to offer. 

As you move closer, the apparent wall of rocks disappears into islets shaped like the back of a descending dragon. 

With the right timing, you may find picture-perfect reflections.

While nature took millions of years to get here, we're shifting the realities of our planet in a matter of decades. The fires in the Amazon, the extreme floods in India, the heat waves in Europe are all a warning sign of the damage we're doing to the planet. At the same time, we're doing so little to undo the damage we're causing. Our planet has just 12 years before it goes on a path of no return. 

The Sunrise and Sunset taking the wonder quotient to 105%

We can make individual choices that reduce our impact. For example, turning vegan/vegetarian or consuming less bathing water or moving to renewable energy sources for our homes or using public transport or avoiding single-use plastic are all the small ways we can contribute to alleviating the condition of our planet. Every individual's action matters. 

However, it will require much more than these small actions to reverse the cycle that is set in motion. Our global problems can't be solved simply by just local actions, given we are a part of a complex climate cycle that transcends national boundaries. For example, developing countries will suffer the most for the mistakes of developed countries over the last century. One thing we can do to impact the larger dialogue is to vote in every election for a party that has a strong policy to fight climate change. I personally think this issue matters above all else in recent times (but I have struggled to find Indian parties that have a stance on the matter itself).

While the previous generations created this mess, it is ours to solve. We owe this in return for the beautiful home this blue planet has offered us. I sincerely hope ours does not become the last generation to experience Earth's wonders in their full splendor.