Cat Ba Island

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Ho Chi Minh City

After the mayhem of the wedding and the quick few days that followed, relaxing into the beat of Vietnam is taking some time. We're not quite into the rhythm yet (we seem to be finishing breakfast when everyone is turning in for their lunchtime sleep) but we're adjusting. Somewhat.

Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City is our stab at luxury. Our digs - the Hotel Majestic - overlooks the Saigon River and resides in the ritzy part of town. Despite our enthusiasm we haven't been immediately enamoured with HCMC, which we've put down to staying in the money zone. Just stepping out of the hotel results in being immediately pounced on and followed by numerous cyclo and moto operators who all but guilt you into their services. We have a lot to learn!

Cat Ba beckons

After a few days wandering around, shopping for cheap electronics and generally acclimatising we have made our way north to Cat Ba Island (via Hai Phong where we witnessed the disembowling of snakes on the footpath, so the brave could indulge in a fortifying snack of their hearts with a blood and gin chaser).

Cat Ba Island consists largely of national park and its coastline flanks the famous Halong Bay. We are enjoying many firsts here - first solo moto rides, first bia hoi (locally brewed beer, based on a Czech technique, enjoyed at the exhorbitent price of 12.5 cents a glass), first sunrise over a deserted beach with limestone karsts in the distance.

We spent one night camping at one of the few beaches on the island. We wandered back to the beach after dinner in town, stumbling down the rocky path in complete darkness. Our reward was an empty beach illuminated only by the moon. We were the only campers. We fell asleep after a midnight dip listening to the sounds of the island - the sea gently heaving itself onto the sand, the palm fronds whispering as they rubbed past each other, the occassional splutter of a diesel engine pushing a fishing boat through the water.

And in the morning we rolled out of the tent, into the sea then lay on the beach sipping the strong, sweet, slowly brewed Vietnamese coffee that has swiftly won our addictions.

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Photos

Saigon River, HCMC
The view from our suite at the Majestic Hotel

Hai Phong
Cyclo rider snoozing by the park.

Hoang Y Restaurant
Fresh crab straight from the bay.

Cat Ba by moto
Spent an afternoon exploring the island by motorbike, discovering vistas like this with noone else around.

Cat Ba - Van Anh Hotel
Sunset from the balcony outside our room on Cat Ba harbour.

Halong Bay
Cruising Halong Bay on our own private boat.

Camping at Cat Co 2
We woke on Monday morning to a completely deserted beach...

Comments

[Sammy]

Yum
Looks like a nice crab you have there Duncan!