Up early, had breakfast, checked out, and got the bus back to the boat (different boat this time). It was foggy and rainy, which made the ride back through Ha Long Bay even more majestic. It was a long bus ride back to Hanoi. Got back to Hanoi, checked into Dong A Hotel with the promise of a room next door for the next 2 nights at the nicer Nam Hai 2 Hotel. Had drinks at Half Man, Half Noodle and then Le Maquis—very cool little hole-in-the-wall bar popular with French expats. Went to Bittet for dinner, a place specializing in French biftec. It was full of locals, but the food was just okay.
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