Vietnam - Cat Ba

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When I arrived in Cat Ba town I felt super happy. It is beautiful, chilled out, and small. On the first day I went on a boat ride through the bay, kayaked into 'secret' lakes, swam in the sea (but freaked myself out by imagining all the creatures that could be lurking in the murky water), then sunbathed on the deck on the way back to port. Day two was spent in a state of complete relaxation. I walked to a restaurant on a viewpoint with a book I picked up from the guesthouse and sat there for 3 hours, then wandered around the coast path to see the beaches, then wandered back to the other side and watched some people fishing. Day three I went rock climbing. Definitely out of shape, but the guides made me persist when I was stuck with my fingertips inches away from the top. I did make it tho, and had the ripped up legs to prove it! Brilliant fun tho. Then I went back to Hanoi. I prefer the food in Thailand.

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Photos

Cat Ba sunset
My first evening on Cat Ba. Sitting drinking a coconut and watching the sunrise. No wonder I felt happy!

Ha Long Bay
Standing on a Karst island in Ha Long Bay. I hope this photo gets across the sort of scenery it was - really unique.

Rock Climbing
This is me half way up my first climb of the day. It looks like there is gentle gradient and that there are plenty of holds, but that is deceptive! I don't often feel scared but I was struggling to think straight...

Kayaking around Ha Long Bay
Going through a tunnel into a lake.