Keep on Trucking

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Arrived back in Hanoi after our trip on Thursday.

Halong Bay was amazing......!!
Arrived there by minibus at about midday. Boarded our gorgeous boat and
set sail. The Bay has about 2000 islands and is just brilliant. We cruised
for a couple of hours and had a 6 (!!!) course seafood lunch, then got off
to visit 3 stunning caves with our guide.
Then it was back to the boat for relaxation before dinner (unbelivable Prawns,
shrimps, and stuffed fish) , then drinks and laughs while we anchored in
a bay with about 25 other boats for sunset.
Cabins on the boat where fab. Just 10 of us on the boat.

Up early the next day for a short cruise to meet a smaller boat which took
us to the place where we would stay for our second night......a small beach
on one of the islands. Only enough huts for our group, the guide, and the
cook etc.

After a brief lesson we were off for 2-3 hours kayaking. Hard work but so
rewarding. Met the small boat at 12 for lunch aboard, and then some diving
off the boat and swimming in the lovely warm water.

2 more hours kayaking to a lagoon and then we were towed back to our beach
camp. Solar powered hot water shower was followed by another great dinner.
They then lit a camp fire on the beach for us and we sat around talking
and drinking until late.

The following morning we were up at 7am again for breakfast and then off
on the boat again back to Halong City. This took about 4 hours and was great
for sunning ourselves up on deck.
Lunch back on shore and then is was back to Hanoi.

Overall a brilliant trip. special mention to Handspan tours who are great.
Trip cost US $99 each which is a good bit more than other companies, but
Handspan are one of the few operators who have their own private beach camp
and the food got 10 out of 10. Some other people said they got dodgy food
on their tours.
The price included absolutely everything except drinks.

The other 8 people were a good laugh, 3 Yanks, 3 Ozzies, 1 Dutch, and 1
German. We all went out for dinner on Thursday night when we got back to
Hanoi.
Spent yesterday wandering around and chilling. Today we went to see Ho Chi
Mhin's body and the Army Museum.

Leaving Hanoi tomorrow for a 14 hour bus journey down south to Hue.
Vietnam rules! We have discovered where the locals drink.....these little
tables and stools by the side of the road that sell glasses of this local
no-name draught beer for 1500 Dong......that is a staggering 7 Euro CENT
a glass.......HAPPY DAYS!

Last night we went out again with some of the Halong Bay gang and ended
up in this little bar playing pool and Jenga! After 11pm we all had to go
upstairs and be quiet as we kept drinking and they turned off the lights
and music. At about 12:30 the staff suddenly told us we had to get out quick
cause the Cops were coming, so we legged it outside and paid for our drink
tabs on the street and walked off just as the police were marching down
the street.

Got to see the Liverpool match delayed the next day, what a great comeback!
Going to watch the derby against Everton this evening (8pm our time).

Note to Parents: No, I'm not just spending all my time drinking beer.....*cough*

Ruth ordered a pair of shorts to be hand-made, will be interesting to see
how they turn out as I don't reckon they made enough measurements!!

That's all Folks,

Phil

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