Rare proposal in Son Doong - the world's largest cave

Alesha and Jarryd, a passionate backpacking couple from Australia, began their journey of exploring the world in 2008. Among their many memorable experiences, the Son Doong Cave expedition in early 2015 left an indelible mark on them. Jarryd recalls the emotional moment in the mysterious space of the cave, when he knelt down and confessed that his love for Alesha was greater than anything in the world.

This magical adventure would not have been possible without the guidance of Ho Khanh, the first person to discover Son Doong Cave. To date, Ho Khanh is the captain of the porter team serving the cave exploration tours, and he personally guided the trip for the young couple.

The porters here truly deserve the title of "silent heroes". They are like the Sherpas of Nepal, but each has their own story, having tried many different jobs to make a living such as farmers, hunters and woodcutters. What they have in common is their survival skills and resilience to overcome the challenges of Phong Nha forest.

Jarryd and Alesha were joined by a full support team of 20 porters, two professional chefs, two rangers, and two British cave experts. To ensure the safest and most memorable experience, the team was on hand to support the 10 tour participants throughout their 5 days and 4 nights exploring the world’s largest cave.

What makes porters special is not only their professionalism, but also their style. While international tourists do not hesitate to spend hundreds of dollars on expedition equipment, experienced Phong Nha foresters only need a simple pair of rubber sandals to gently overcome the challenging terrain skillfully.

During this exploration, participants sometimes need to use expedition equipment such as safety ropes and climbing hooks to overcome dangerous cliffs. However, under the dedicated guidance of veteran experts, Jarryd, Alesha and other members of the team enthusiastically overcome these obstacles.

In addition to conquering the rugged terrain, life in the cave is also colorful with recreational activities such as playing cards, singing and trying physical games. Despite their simple and modest appearance, the strong energy and endurance of the porters cannot help but impress visitors.

Camping in Son Doong Cave is an unforgettable experience. Each season, the porters bring in all the equipment, and when finished, everything is taken out to keep the cave intact. Not only that, the trip also brings the delight of the culinary experience. With two talented chefs accompanying them, Jarryd and Alesha enjoy energetic dishes amidst the majestic scenery of the cave.

A must-see destination on the journey is the second campsite, located below a sinkhole filled with green moss and bushes. Although deep underground, from the small tent, visitors can still admire the starry sky, creating a poetic scene that is difficult to describe in words.

The Son Doong expedition is a journey to discover a unique ecosystem, which has its own climate and ecosystem. Visitors are easily drawn into the beauty of the giant stalagmites and underground rivers, completely forgetting the outside world. When reaching sinkhole number 1, a rare light shines inside. Jarryd chose this sparkling moment to propose to Alesha. "A tear rolled down from the corner of my eye, I proposed to the girl of my dreams. She closed her eyes, cried and said yes," Jarryd revealed.