A Great Day in Ha Long Bay!

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Hi Everyone,
I received a few comments that readers couldn’t find the filmstrip on the last post. The fact is I should have explained it better. The film strip is accessed by clicking onm the film icon at the top of the page. By the way- I hope that you know that if you click on any picture, you get a larger copy of the pictures.

Saturday I took a trip to Ha Long Bay. Ha Long Bay is about 120 miles northeast of Hanoi and is worth every mile. If you are ever in Vietnam, take advantage of the tours. My tour to Ha Long Bay included an air-conditioned 18 passenger bus, a four hour cruise on the bay, a fresh seafood dinner (I’ll talk about that later), admission to two sight-seeing tours and transportation back to Hanoi. The total? Only $18 dollars US!

The bus picked me up at the my Hotel at 7:30 AM and we were on our way. I was the only American on the bus, but had great company with travelers from Belgium, France, Finland, England and South Korea. Once again, everyone spoke English. We had a really fun time with lots of stories and laughter.

Ha Long Bay was magnificent! I am probably attaching more pictures to this blog than any entry in the past. Upon arrival we were ushered to what I estimate to be about a 30-passenger boat, but there were only about 14 of us, so we had lots of room. It was a four hour cruise, and I took lots of pictures, but there is not one that captures the true beauty of Ha Long Bay.

An hour into the cruise we stopped at a floating fish store. There were lots of live sea bass, eels, lobsters, squid and shrimp. Everyone picked out what they wanted; it was retrieved in a net, then cooked and served on the boat. It was one of the best meals of my life!

We then proceeded to the largest island, where there is a cave that I would estimate to be at least as big, if not bigger than Marvel Cave in Missouri (at Branson). It was also a very good work-out with lots of stair steps to get to the entry and exit of the canyon. I took pictures, but there is really no way that they can come close to the beauty of the cavern.

We toured another couple of hours till we arrived at Titop (no snickers please- that is really the name) island. It had a great beach and we were free to go swimming. I didn’t bring a suit so I didn’t go in. That really wasn’t a barrier as they had suits to rent- but then again there were a few people who went swimming, didn’t bring a suit, and didn’t rent a suit (if you know what I mean)!

On the way back, the sun was setting and I think I got a really good picture. Again, not as good as real-life, but I am pleased with the result. If you get a chance, please send me an e-mail and let me know how you are. I am looking forward to coming home soon- just don’t exactly know when.

Please take care,
Arlyn

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Photos

On the Bay
Ha Long Bay was beautiful and it wa s agreat day for sailing

Chicken Rock
It is supposed to look like two fighting chickens- but then again I didn't get the right angle

Coconut Choppers
Use a machete, chop open a coconut, stick in a straw, and you ha ve a really refreshing drink- about $1.50

Sunset on Ha Long Bay
This is one of the prettiest sunsets that I have ever captured. It made me think of my Grandma Quimby who just loved sunsets.

Comments

[Angie]

Very cool

[Arlyn]

Thanks Angie. It was a really great day. Please take care. I hope that Steve is enjoying the blog. Love, Arlyn