Enduring another cramped and bouncy bus journey with a young man's appendage perched neatly on my shoulder for much of the duration, we arrived at Phong Nha. Phong Nha is a National Park north of Central Vietnam and lures tourists due to its three impressive caves: Phong Nha, Thien Duong and Hang Toi.

We had come for the (reportedly spectacular Thien Duong (Paradise Cave). We also had the pleasure of being accompanied by three fine gents; an Englishman, a Chinaman and an Italian (Jonny, Lazer and Manfreddo).

Quickly indulging in a traditional bowl of Bun Thang, a hearty bowl of delicious pork, noodles, quail eggs and thin broth, we all rented motorbikes and set off for Paradise Cave - now the gang name: Wolverines.

At the cave entrance we were offered a buggy ride half way to the cave, don't bother with this as it only takes you half a kilometre which is an easy, flat walk.

The cave itself was colossal. Following a wooden walkway down into the roots of a mountain you are thrown into a strange world of morphing stalagmites and looming stalactites. The cavernous space is lit with numerous lights and huge deposits of calcite adorn the walls like theatre curtains.

The cave was only discovered in 2005 and the whole 31 kilometre length was explored by British cave explorers. It's vaulted ceiling reaches an impressive 150 metres in height and its limestone formations lead the explorers to name the place 'Paradise'. A new species of scorpion was also discovered in the cave, Vietbocap thienduongensi (Paradise Scorpion).

If I'm honest I didn't think that the roughly one kilometre would all permitted inside the cave was worthy of the expensive 250,000VND (£10) that it costs - after a quick gander I was satisfied. Hang Toi (Dark Cave) is marginally more expensive but offers kayaking, zip lining and swimming included in the price, though the cave is nowhere near as impressive - it depends what you want and whether or not you have a girlfriend to keep happy.

One of the most enjoyable days in Vietnam, with great company, was rounded off with a surprisingly nice boiling bowl of pork rice porridge. Then it was onto the overnight bus to Hanoi - I really need to invest in a nose plug.