This January I was once again presented with the amazing opportunity to do some more photography work in Son Doong cave thanks to Oxalis. (Photos from my previous trip to Son Doong.) Oxalis needed to prepare some things for the upcoming tours and I was able to tag along with Howard, Deb, Watto, Adam, Bamboo, Thanh, and the brilliant porters from Phong Nha on their trip into Hang Son Doong. I have to say that these photos wouldn’t have been possible without the tremendous help from everyone.
Bamboo standing in a passage in Hang Son Doong looking out towards the second doline.
Unfortunately we were in some tight time constraints as we only had one full day in the cave and it was a long 10 hour day taking photographs. This trip I was better prepared with flash bulbs from Meggaflash and homemade bulb firers that could be triggered wirelessly. This made photographing the cave/daylight points much easier and I’m incredibly happy with how they turned out.
Bamboo in the first doline and Watto and Thanh lighting up the cave passage. The second doline can be seen in the distance.The red glow from sunset is seen at the exit of Hang En.Garden of Edam in Son Doong Cave
It’s incredibly difficult to put into words how amazing Hang Son Doong really is. From the shear size of the cave to the two doline where plant life has started growing inside the cave. It is truly otherworldly and something that probably can’t be experienced anywhere else in the world.
Bamboo looking towards the second camp. Watto is in the passage with a flashbulb lighting it up.Bamboo entering the first doline. The light coming from the distance is from Watto and Howard, who are only a few pixels big in the photo.One of my favorite parts of Son Doong Cave, the view back into the first doline.Bamboo and Thanh standing in a passage in Hang Son Doong looking out towards the second doline.Thanh standing by a massive stalagmite in Son Doong cave.A small sunbeam coming through the entrance of Hang Son Doong.Bamboo about to descend into Hang Son Doong.Watto on the Hand of Dog.Bamboo looking back toward Watch Out For Dinosaurs.
We also were incredibly lucky to witness sunbeams in Hang En the last morning we were there. At first we didn’t think it was going to happen as with was cloudy and foggy outside. Everyone decided to call it and head back towards civilization, but I wanted to stay and Thanh was kind enough to stay back with me. When the clouds broke and sunbeam started forming my breath was taken away. It was an absolutely incredible sight.
Thanh standing in a sunbeam in Hang En.
Thanh standing in a sunbeam in Hang En.
Thanh standing in a sunbeam in Hang En.
I will leave you with the rest of the photos from the trip. I hope you enjoy!
View to the first camp leading to the first doline in Son Doong CaveThanh and Watto in the first doline in Hang Son Doong.Howard, Bamboo, Watto, and Thanh in the first doline in Hang Son Doong.On the path up to the Garden of EdamPlant life growing in the Garden of Edam in Hang Son Doong.Plant life growing in the Garden of Edam in Hang Son Doong.Bamboo standing amongst the plant life in the Garden of Edam in Hang Son Doong.Heading into the Garden of Edam in Hang Son Doong.Heading into the Garden of Edam in Hang Son Doong.In the Garden of Edam in Hang Son Doong.In the Garden of Edam in Hang Son Doong.Looking out the first doline at night.Deb and Adam in a passage of Hang En.Watto, Deb, and Adam in the exit of Hang En.Trees grow inside the Garden of Edam which is located at the second doline in Hang Son Doong.
