Ha Long Bay - "where the dragon descends into the sea"

February 20
I got picked up right on time for my trip to Ha Long Bay. We picked up another couple, Anne and Semi from Scotland. She was very very talkative and friendly. Ha Long Bay is in northern Vietnam approximately 170 km east of Hanoi. It is known for it's emerald waters and 1,969 towering limestone islands topped by rainforest. The bay is famous for its scenic ocean karst topography and is often included in lists of natural wonders of the world.
Ha Long Bay is in the Gulf of Tonkin. The name translates to "where the dragon defends into the sea" and legend claims the islands of Ha Long Bay were created by a great dragon from the mountains. Halong was designated a Unesco World Heritage site in 1994.

It took us 4 hours to get to Ha Long Bay. We boarded our boat owned by L'Azalee Cruise only to learn that there are only 5 people on this overnight cruise (services up to 24 people). We had Anne and Semi; Yoshiko and Satsuki, two wonderful ladies from Japan working in Hanoi, and moi!

We were served lunch as the boat motored out (along with a million other boats). Once we finished, we went to the top deck to enjoy the scenery.

We motored along till we got to the Ha Long Pearl farm. They explained the 3 different kinds of oysters they have, how the pearl is made, and then.... Of course, we were expected to buy some pearls.

There is only one family that is allowed to live on an island. It's a 50 year lease (that was about 20 years ago).
The boat stopped and we were loaded onto the tender, where there were kayaks ready for us to use. The four other people had never kayaked before. Kayaking in Ha Long Bay was so peaceful and amazing... no waves only a few fishing boats. I tried to upload a video but it's a no go! It's loaded on Facebook if you really want to see it.

Sunset

After dinner, we fished for squid.... Tried but didn't catch any. A bright light is shone into the water, we were give a bamboo pole with a neon green squid and hook at the end of it. You drop it into the water, let it sink then pull it up a bit. This make the neon green squid look like it's dancing. I tried for about 5 mins then gave up. Our guide caught this one.

February 21
Woke up and spent the early morning on the deck watching the sun come up. Although all the boats were anchored around it, it was so peaceful.

Boat vendors selling their wares

We all participated in a tai chi class that was run by one of the crew. It was the coolest things.... Soft Chinese music playing, our boat motoring forward slowing into the mist and there we are on the top deck doing tai chi! Life couldn't be any better!

After breakfast, we all boarded the tender and headed out to the caves. Hang Sung Sot "Suprise Cave" has three chambers. There was a total of 139 steps. I was really apprehensive about going to the caves but decided that I would try it. After all, it was a walk in cave not like Fiji where I had to enter the second chamber by swimming under water.

A temple in the mountain where the fisherman go to pray the first day of the month

The steps to the cave from the tender


The magnificent view from the top

We headed back to the dock and back to Hanoi. I walked around Hoan Kiem Lake this evening. So many families, lovers walking hand in hand, and bride and grooms taking romantic wedding pictures.

Tonight is my last night in Vietnam, I fly out to Thailand tomorrow for two weeks. What have I learnt about Vietnam?
Well....
When crossing the street NEVER hesitate, NEVER speed up, and NEVER stop!!! You'll get squished if you do!!
ALWAYS keep the same pace so that motorbikes, scooters, and cars can go around you.

Sidewalks here are not for people to walk on, they're used to park motorbikes and scooters.

I fell in love with Hoi An - a beautiful city known for their beautiful silk lanterns. Ha Long Bay is one of the natural wonders of the world, it's unfortunate that there is so much garbage floating in the water.

You will never ever go hungry here in Vietnam because there are street vendors selling street food every few feet. These last two week have been a food fest. I feel like all I've done is eat!

Goodbye Vietnam.. I will be back as there is still so much to see.