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Published: August 24th 2005
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Halong Bay
Just leaving the mainland and heading out to the bay. You can see a collection of the type of boat we were in. Monday 22nd August
Early start with breakfast before I set off in the bus with a bunch of other tourists (including Dan and Myca from my hotel, and three American girls, Dorie, Betsie and Alica) to go to Halong Bay.
The journey on the way to the coast further north was really interesting, it's amazing how much business is popping up around here, there were tonnes of 'industrial parks' on the road side, and another thing I noticed was that all the Government buildings were painted yellow and red (the country's national flag colours!)
On the way to the coast we stopped off at the usual tourist tat shop... but 'unfortunately' it was flooded so we couldn’t get out off the bus (oh yeah, I forgot to say, it was raining!)
Arrived at Haiphong (I think?! Possibly Halong City?) around lunch time and boarded out boat straight away. It was a pretty impressive size, there was a dinning and seating area upstairs, then about 6 bedrooms downstairs and a seating deck on the very top. They're known as 'junk' boats! We set off into the Gulf Of Tonkin to Halong Bay. This area is a UNESCO world
Halong Bay
Lunch with a view! heritage site. There are almost 3,000 limestone islands that burst out of the sea - an amazing sight! Legend says that long long time ago there was a dragon and a baby dragon that came to Vietnam and when they were chased away their tails carved the route out between the islands and then it all filled up with the sea, in fact, the baby dragon is still entombed in one of the caves because he didn’t manage to escape (well, that's what they say!)
We stopped for lunch in a small bay and ate a mixture of noodles, rice, vegetables, tofu, fish, fried meats etc with a fabulous back drop!
After lunch we got off the boat and visited one of the limestone caves. It was really hot inside and still raining ... grrr. But it was really fascinating to see the size of these caves. Our guide told us that around the cave you could see the shapes of the holy animals... ummm?!
Later in the afternoon we continued on the boat through the islands and chilling out on the deckchairs in the sun... yes, it finally stopped raining! I took hundreds of photos!
Halong Bay
Typical landscape scene in Halong Bay At about 4pm we stopped in a bay area and had the opportunity to swim. Dan (the American) didn’t need much persuasion to jump from the top deck... and with a little bit more persuasion Betsie and I took the plunge (quite literally)... thought it would be a breeze, was just going to jump into the water, ok, so I couldn’t see the bottom, it wasn’t that it was dirty, just murky,... but oh my god it was so high!!! Stood on the edge ... looking down,... it still makes me nervous to think about it now!!! (how will I ever manage a bungee jump... or 3?!) But... I did it!!! It was so cool! Got a tonne of water up my nose and drank a lot when I went in,... but still so cool! Really warm water too and it was nice just to float about!
Eventually had to move on, so spent the rest of the early evening before dinner sitting on the top deck drinking beers and chatting.
Same sort of set up for dinner as it was for lunch, still really good food.
In the evening, more beers (only $1!... like 50p!) and
Halong Bay
The Sun came out!!! chatting, and then a game, or 20, of rummy... was soooooooo close to winning... so close! I was put off by the HUGE rat that I saw jumping in and out of the bin at the next table! (Argh!)
By the time I went to bed my room was like a sauna (no A/C or fans here) and there were bugs the size of small beasts all over the room... just closed my eyes and was rocked to sleep... eventually!
Tuesday 23rd August.
Up for breakfast early then half of our group had to leave because they were going trekking around Cat Ba (one of the islands) for another day... in the rain!
I stayed in the boat and spent the whole journey home on the top deck taking more photos!!!
Lunch at a restaurant by the bay then back on the bus all the way home.
I moved hotel again that night, to a place that two Australians had recommended... it was much cheaper!
Met Lauren, from South Africa, and we headed out to get something to eat. Sat by the lake having Lucklak beef... really nice beef made up with onions
Halong Bay
Aaahhh, this is the life! Just sitting back and enjoying the view! and veg and a chili sauce and it came with chips :o) Accompanied by a really refreshing lime juice, like a mojito but no alcohol!
We then went for a beer at a local corner (yup, sat on a plastic stool on a street corner with the locals!)... quite an experience for only 5,000 Dong (28,500 to the British Pound... you work it out!)
Back home to bed, in preparation for another busy day tomorrow!
Catch up again soon,
Clare x
P.S. DAD... not all sink plugs are universal! Grrr... I’ve found 2 now that my 'universal sink plug' doesn’t work in! But... have used my initiative... took the suction pad off the end of my washing line and that's small enough to stick over the top of the plug hole and works marvelously!... genius,... I tell you, I'm wasted on a profession in law!!
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Dad
non-member comment
Some small observations.
Clare, What with water puppets, persistent rain, a bay with lots of water and then the universal plug people may think you have an H2O thing. I didn't guarantee worldwide universal plug, at best just Hartlepool and the environs, but good lateral thinking. Have you considered Plumbing ! Dad (@ home in nice Sunny garden, zero rain.)