Ha Long Bay

We drove for about 2 hours until we reached the port of Ha Long. The weather was more like drizzly Harwich than beautfil Ha long but we didn't let that spoil things. The port was a little dissapointing as it was soooooo crowded (around 500 of these 'junk' boats all departing on similar trips), but we were kind of expecting that.

The boat itself (the Imperial Junk) was really nice and we enjoyed spending the first night floating around the amazing islands/rock formations (of which there are something like 150,000 sq kms). Met a nice Aussie family (parents were both teachers so while Kelly was in her element i was taking in the views) and spent most meal times with them. We explored some cool caves (only discovered in the 1950s) and on the second day we stopped off at one of the largest islands for a spot of mountain biking. And this was proper mountain biking - on the crappest bikes! (forget brakes and gears- they're only for wimps!) Nice to do a bit of excercise though and work off all the food they're plying us with (seems like no sooner have we finished one meal, we're onto another- and it's dictator sized portions let me tell you!)

Stopped off in a local village and tried some snake wine (yowser!) Then a leisurely cycle back and onto kayaking. It was such a shame about the litter floating about in the bay but it was a cool way to spend the afternoon nontheless. The second night was spent in a decent 3 star hotel on Cat Ba island (reminded us a bit of Blackpool with all its neon lights).

But not before visiting Monkey island though...

We were told that we could enjoy a nice easy 'walk' up the hillside for amazing views. The views we definitely got, the leisurely climb however, turned into our group scaling the north face of the Eiger- as it was much steeper and more challenging than we'd been led to believe. All good fun though. Until the wretched monkeys cut us off at the pass- trapping us! Turning millions of years of evolution on thier head, the little buggers forced us back down the cliff to the safety of the beach. More curious than threatening they followed us down only to recieve treats from other tour parties.

Getting on famously with a threesome staying in the same hotel as us back in Hanoi (Alan, Kate and Ellie) and becoming traveling partners in crime as we're booked on the next tour with them as well.

Interesteing drive back to Hanoi (Kelly and I sat up front with the minibus driver). Not only did we have to endure crap classics like 'Delilah' and 'Cae sera sera' over and over and over and over again, we got to witness Vietnamese driving at its best (worst) before the heavens opened and emptied some proper monsoon rain onto all of Hanoi.

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