Day 4: Rainy Reflections, Mua Cave (Almost), and Much-Needed Rest

Sometimes, a little FOMO can be a blessing in disguise. Yesterday, we squeezed every drop out of our time here, worried we’d miss something essential. Our instincts were right: Day 4 woke us up with thunder, sheets of rain, and the kind of gray sky that makes you grateful for your hotel bed. While some tourists outside looked panicked (imagine only having one day here!), We felt like the lucky ones, letting our sore bodies thank us for yesterday’s overachieving. Lizz especially needed the downtime—her cold is still lingering, and a forced rest day was just what the doctor (would have) ordered.

Luckily, the rain was more of a dramatic morning show than an all-day event. By late morning, the sky cleared and the humidity dialed to “sauna.” Not ones to sit still for long, we decided to stretch our legs and walk the short 1.8 kilometers to Mua Cave. The path was lush and beautiful after the rain, making the countryside look even more magical.

Mua Cave is famous not just for its cave but for its striking viewpoint above it. To reach the top, you must brave about 500 steep steps that snake up the limestone mountain, promising spectacular views over the rice paddies and karst peaks of Ninh Binh. We stood at the base, sweat dripping in the thick, post-rain air, and stared at the seemingly endless staircase. Maybe we’d have been game if we hadn’t just spent days playing tourist superheroes. But today, the promise of an Indian lunch nearby was far more tempting than the summit. (FOMO level: managed.)

FOMO Alert

Who knows, maybe we’ll be keen to check out the Mua Cave again tomorrow morning since Lizz is reading that the early morning is the best time for this little adventure. But we won’t walk all the way to get there again, or else. It depends on the weather, too!

The afternoon was dedicated to pure rest—feet up, reading, and letting our bodies catch up. We’ve loved every bit of our Northern Vietnam adventure: the serene rivers of Ninh Binh, the ancient pagodas, and the endless energy of Hanoi. But now, we’re curious and excited about what the South will bring. We’ll head back to Hanoi tomorrow after lunch and catch a flight to Da Nang. New landscapes, new flavors, and (hopefully) a bit less rain await!