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Published: March 10th 2012
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An early start today, as we head to Halong Bay for a cruise around the bay on a junk. Still overcast and drizzlly, not very promising, but still hope to capture the beauty of Halong Bay and relax, as it's been go, go, go.
Our lift has not turned up, could they have possibly forgotten???? A quick phone call confirms that yes they had and are now on there way. Climbing aboard a mini bus we can see it's going to be a tight squeeze. All our luggage has to come to as we will be moving onto our next country after the cruise (Oh so Squeeze!!!!!).
We have finally arrived at Halong Bay port, all the junks are either returning from an overnight cruise or reloading with new travellers. The weather has not improved that much, still overcast, sky polluted.
Our cruise boat is called the "Halong Dugong Sail", a little worse for wear and this becomes even more obvious as we are taxii by a small boat to climb aboard. The pictures you are shown in a glossy book are a distant memory for this cruiser/boat. The once beautiful boat boasted two tall masks with brightly
coloured sails, these have since been removed, the top deck with its reclining chairs all weather worn, craked and have decreased in number. On futher inspection the dinning room is nicely layed out ready for use to enjoy our first meal aboard. The triple share room is in the back of the boat, and still has some resemblance to the glossy book, the same can not be said of the bathroom, stale water still slops around under the open slat floor boards.
We have two windows, one looking onto a small balcony, this will later be used to sit and part take in a drink or two.
Halong Bay known as Vinh Ha Long, means "Bay of the Descending Dragon" is made up of thousands of limestone islands in various sizes and shapes along the 120-km coastline of Bai Chay Beach. along the 120-km coastline of Bai Chay Beach. These waters now help sustain a community of fisherman, many of them living on floating villages around the small islands.
As our boat move slowly and gently around many of the individual lsland we pass one of the largest floating fishing village and pull into Sung Sot
Cave (Cave of Surprises) thiis the largest cave in Halong Bay. Located at the Bo Hon Island, the cave got its name from a French admiral who was surprised at the size of the cave when he discovered it.
As you climb a few hundred stairs you can look back over the inlet, where you can see a large development in progress on the shoreline, my guess is it's for a larger more stable mooring for the many tourist boats, continuing on up more stairs you reach the entrance to the cave. As you enter inside you are soon see a huge hollowed out cave with many type of stalactites and stalagmites brightly highlighted with coloured lights and with some imagination you can make out some animal shapes.
All aboard we continue to sail around the bay, eventually coming to a stop, this will be our resting place for the night, dinner is served, afterwards it is suggested by the tour guide, to try our hand at catching squid. Big flood lights poor out over the water from below the bow, a small make shift flishing line is passed out to those who would like to have try.
The rest of the travellers have retired for the night.
Waking up to a gentle lapping of water against the boat and looking out the window at a mist clouded skyline hanging low over the lslands give a romance feel to this location. For the early riser it's a photo opportunity, the water is like glass, not a ripple to be seen.
After breakfast we once again moving onwards stopping at the largest floating village for a chance to go kayaking, then start are journey back to Halong Bay port where we will be collected and met 2/3 of the way by a taxii. This is our transportation to the International airpot for our flight to Luang Prabang, Laos.
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