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Published: January 17th 2007
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We left Hanoi on Monday and headed Haylong bay for a 2 night boat trip. We saw Peter and Charlie at the services on the way (they were also doing a boat trip) and it turned out they did get lost (whatever!). We arrived at the port to find millions of boats and people everywhere. The boys as it happens ended up on the same boat as us, but the lucky buggers got to see a celebrity on the pier... only Cliff Richard (Oh my days!). We must have walked straight past him, God knows what he was doing in the public area, and I thought that he would have had his own private boat! We made some new friends too, Sinead and Rachel from Ireland and Shannon and Zack from USA.
Our first stop was at Sun Sot cave which was fantastic, I thought it wasn't going to be quite small but it just kept on going, although there wasn't as many stalactites and stalagmites as I imagined. I learnt how to tell the difference, stalactites go down (just like ladies tights!!!).
We then had lunch which consisted of fish, squid, omelet, cold chips, rice, veg, and tofu.
Which was actually quite nice, not that keen on tofu but I tried squid and I like it... I am getting adventurous with my food these days!
We then cruised around some of the three thousand islands here, the weather was a little chilly but warm enough to sit on the top deck, but it was a bit misty so our pictures didn't come out brilliant but the view was still pretty spectacular.
We then went kayaking which was a laugh, Erica and I couldn't go in a straight line to save our life, she says it is the person at the back who steers, so it was probably all my fault! Although the water was rather chilly we still decided that we should go swimming, so I got changed into my shorts and dived off the boat. God Damn the water was really cold, but after five minutes I was used to it.. Well you have to say you swam in Haylong Bay don't you!
In the evening we got split up into two groups as some people were just doing a one night trip. The boys were just staying the one night but the rest
Me and the girls!
At the top of a mounrtain.
Erica, Rachel, Sinead, Shannon and me of our friends were staying for two nights like us so we left the boys to get on another boat which we spent the night on. Our cabin was really nice, better than some of the guest houses we have stayed in actually!
Tea consisted of pretty much the same as dinner, except there wasn't omelet, but more fish and squid! I should have guessed as much considering it is a boat trip!
On Tuesday we did a 4km trek in the jungle of Cat Ba Island which is a national park. Not as challenging as I would have liked but we climbed a couple of small mountains which were more like hills, but the views were pretty good. We then checked in to a hotel on the Island and had dinner, more squid! But we also got pork and chicken, which was a relief as I was getting bored of sea fish.
In the afternoon we went to Monkey Island, you'll never guess what you'll find there, monkeys. In fact they are just roaming around the beach, I managed to get some pictures without being attacked this time, but one took a dislike for Erica
Monkeying around
On Monkey Island with a couple of the locals! and ran at her, she managed to escape unharmed. Monkeys just don't like us! There was nothing else to do there so Erica, Sinead, Rachel and I chilled on the beach until it was time to go back.
Tea consisted of the usual things, more rice, tofu, squid, veg, but we also got king prawns and soup. Unfortunately the king prawns were scousers, they came in a shell suit! But I didn't let it put me off and I actually quite enjoyed them! Whilst sat at our table I felt some one put there arm on my shoulder and I was surprised too see it was Justin, who we were with on Koh Samet. He is now traveling alone since Ashley lost his passport and a lot of money, therefore having to return home. We all went to the local bar for one or two many and ended up singing Karaoke, which I did badly.
On Wednesday we headed back to Hanoi and I felt worse for wear, being hung over whilst you are on a boat is not a good idea, whilst sat in the main deck I managed to snooze, my head on the
table (attractive!). When we reached Haylong Bay we ate in a nearby restaurant but the food was terrible, I hardly touched a thing. Overcooked squid, awful looking and smelling fish with guess what rice! I did manage to eat a few spring rolls, but Vietnamese are nothing like the ones you get from the Chinese at home or in Thailand, they are very greasy and are like party sausages as they contain mince pork. We then all crammed into a minibus to travel back to Hanoi.
Once back we used the computer (where I am publishing this) and then we intend to eat with Sinead and Rachel before making our way to the train station to travel to Sapa tonight.
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