#117 Tran Minh Quoc

gửi bởi **Thiên Bình** » Thứ 6 Tháng 5 30, 2008 12:27 pm

Key number : 117
Full name : TRAN MINH QUOC
School : Quoc Hoc High School-Hue City-Thua Thien Hue Province
Class : 11 specialize in Biology
Address : 91 Dao Duy Anh-Hue City-Thua Thien Hue Province
Phone number: 0977320390
E-mail : chen571991@gmail.com

INTRODUCE YOUR HOMETOWN TO YOUR FRIEND OR A FOREIGNER WHO IS VISITING QUANG BINH

Night comes down upon the earth. How lucky for a crab like me to live on Quang Binh Beach. Living the life of a crab, I am happy to enjoy the beauty of the sea, the beauty of marine and of the pure nature.

Seeing twinkling stars in the sky reflecting on the surface makes me excited. My head escapes from the surface of the sea to enjoy the spectacular sight. There are small beautiful gleaming lights far away on the horizon. They turned out to be the crew of fishing-boats. The more I look at them, the more I am captivated by the glistering beauty. But the sleepiness is dragging down my eyelids. I dive into the deep sea to find a shelter for the night. On my way back to the sea, I recognize that at night the marine creatures seem to be more splendid. The range of coral reef has a blaze of many colors. Schools of colorful fish are swimming freely past me. It seems that I am mesmerized by the whole view before my eyes. Now I understand why so many tourists want to scuba dive. And little by little, I fall asleep.

As a habit, I get up before dawn to watch the sun rise. I crawl on the sand and wait for the moment I am looking for. All of a sudden, I am startled by the crying sound of the sinewy fishers who are setting sail to go out to the sea. I feel like having a strong connection with Quang Binh people. My mind is inundated by incredible admiration for them. You see, they are diligent, hard working and free-spirited people. Other admirable characteristics of Quang Binh people are their resilience and perseverance. My Grandpa used to tell me stories about their valor and courage during wartime. Have you ever heard Mother Suot, who helped the soldiers pass Nhat Le River in spite of bomb mines? Her action was so audacious that she became a role model for Quang Binh women. In addiction to that, Quang Binh people are very friendly and hospitable. I remembered one day I was playing with my crabby friends on the beach, we saw the tourists who are being shown around by local people.

I am proud of Quang Binh. I am also proud to be a sea creature living at the place where I was born. These thoughts cannot stop me from shouting aloud, “Quang Binh Sea is the most wonderful place in Quang Binh!” All of a sudden, sister Swallow flies over me and says:

-No no little Crab, you are wrong. I know a place that is even better than Quang Binh Sea. It is Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park.

-No, I cannot believe that there is any other place more beautiful than Quang Binh Sea,” I insist.

-How sad that you didn’t know! Ok, let me tell you about that place. Phong Nha Ke Bang is recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage. It is located to the north of the majestic Truong Son range in central Quang Binh Province and it is also one of the world’s two largest limestone regions. It is over 200,000 hectares of parkland including beautiful limestone formations, grottoes, caves, and a luxuriant forestland covering 95 percent of the park area. Phong Nha…

Not giving sister Swallow enough time to carry on her babbling, I interrupt:

-Wait! Although Quang Binh Sea has not been recognized by UNESCO, it has a great diverse body of creatures.

-Ha Ha. Why do you think that National does not have diversity? According to initial statistics, the primitive tropical forest in Phong Nha Ke Bang houses 140 families, 427 branches, and 751 species of high-rated plants, of which 36 species are endangered and listed in the Vietnam Red Book. The forest is also home to 32 classes, 98 families, 256 genera, and 382 species of four land backboned animals. 66 animal species are listed Vietnam Red Book and 23 other species in the World Red Book. In general, Phong Nha Ke Bang’s animals are more diverse than those of other natural reserves and national parks. It is also more diverse than Quang Binh Sea.

I cannot believe in her words. Until Today, I have always believed that Quang Binh Sea possesses the greatest diversity in Quang Binh Province. Her words seem to hurt my pride, I say:

- No, I do not believe it. You are lying!

- Little Crab, it is the truth. If you do not believe it, you can visit that place with me and we will see…

- Good idea! I will go with you. - I smile friendly.

- Ok, go with me. Please lie on my back and I’ll take you to that place. - Sister Swallow says.

From up high, it is even more spectacular. I can see an immense Quang Binh Sea. And gradually, the place emerges into my sight.

- It is Phong Nha Ke Bang National park, isn’t it? - I ask - How beautiful!

- Yes, from this height, it is more and more mighty. The beauty of nature is superb.

When I see some rare animals, I believe what sister Swallow has told me. Then she says:

- Now I will give you a tour to one of the most spectacular caves in the world - Phong Nha Cave.

As quick as lighting, she takes me to the cave. Inside the cave, I am overwhelmed with special feelings. It feels like I have just gotten into paradise. The cave features magnificent stalactites that looked like those I can only see in fairy tales. Stalactite and stalagmite columns and walls here create strange sounds like that gong and drum if they are knocked with the hand. Sister Swallow says:

- I think there is one interesting thing that you don’t know. Phong Nha holds several world cave records, as it has the longest underground rivers, the largest caverns and passageways, the widest and prettiest sand banks, and the most astonishing rock formations in the world. All of these marvelous traits attract the tourists both locally and internationally.

- You have a very broad knowledge. I wonder how you know all of this. – I ask with admiration.

- I only overheard this information from the tour guides at Phong Nha cave. – She simply answers.

Sister Swallow takes me back to the sea. The sun is descending, wrapping a brilliant orange shade that brightens up a semi-spherical corner where it floats behind the horizon. After one day, my knowledge has broadened so much. It has been an eye-opening experience for me to know that my Quang Binh Beach is not the only amiable-looking place in Quang Binh.

gửi bởi **Thiên Bình** » Thứ 6 Tháng 5 30, 2008 12:39 pm

The content above is the resubmission of the contestant. For the original submission and corrections, you can look at vòng 2 nhóm 4 thread. Everything is posted on there.

The only thing that I've changed when posting his essay on here is that I've double-spaced the pagraphs. His method is indenting the first line for each new paragraph and for the dialogs, which still follows the spacing rule and looks neat, but the coding in this forum alternates his paragraph formating. That's why I had to double-space it for easier reading purpose.

QA