Happy holidays in Ha Long Bay

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Hello All,

Another exciting installment of Lucy and Chris in Asia is here. Hurrah! Things are still good, with Mr Cwiss and Miss Wucy, it's even got a bit cooler - Wucy last night wondered about taking a cardigan out.

Lots to tell you about this time as we've been on our hols. It was Lucy's half-term and a much needed break for me, for 5 days in Ha Long Bay in the north of Vietnam. We went with our friends from here, Rob and Eileen who are very nice and good company. They needed to be because we were on a boat together for 3 days (nobody else apart from 3 crew) sailing around the amazing landscape of limestone mountains jutting out of the sea. I think the photos will tell it better than words, it's truly an amazing place and extremely relaxing. The days were spent sailing about and then stopping every now and again for a bit of kayaking - we found 4 'secret' lagoons where you had to paddle through dark caves to get to a pool on the other side, where we were the only people there. We also paddled with shoals of fish jumping between our legs, got invited onto a fella's floating fish farm for a cup of tea and found a Chinese temple on a deserted beach. And after all this exertion it was back onto the top deck for a sit down and a beer. That covered 3 days, the other time was spent at an stunning beach in a cove called Nam Cat. You can only get there by boat and there are about a dozen huts by the beach, barbeque every night and a lot of reading time. On the way back we stayed in the main town on one of the bigger islands and got a $10 hotel room - air con, sea view and free shower gel all included. The morning after was spent exploring as much as we could in 90 minutes on a bike - we even saw our first snake - a 2 footer wriggling across the road, many eagles, goats, dogs, chickens and very muddy bull sitting in a rice field with a stork on its head. Then, after an hour on a hydrofoil we had the afternoon in a city called Hai Phong, before flying home. The highlight was a walk around the market there - you could buy anything - frogs, pig hearts, chicken's feet and salamanders, all destined for the belly.

In between times we're still keeping ourselves entertained with stuff. I've been getting into the Lambretta and spent most of yesterday on it scooting around the centre of town. I've got the knack of it now and am developing the ability to avoid everything else that's on the road, which isn't straightforward if I tell you there are 4,000,000 motorbikes in Saigon. It's adding an extra dimension to life for us - now we can go under our own steam to the post office where you can spend 30 minutes trying to send 1 parcel.

Lucy is busy writing mid-term reports right now but found time to go and learn the 'Shim Sham' this afternoon at the dancing class. Swing dancing lessons have finished (finally) but Lucy's got the bug - she even got me twirling her around at a bar/restaurant we went to with friends from the class last night. I gave the Shim Sham a miss this afternoon and went to the races with a couple of lads instead. We're becoming regulars there now on account of it being the only place where you can watch decent(ish) sport at the weekend. Last time we went I won big - really, really big. Over half a million in fact - just a shame that works out at only around 20 quid. Had to make do with a 150 grand loss today.

We've got a busy month with visitors in November - my Dad and Lynda arrive in Hanoi on Saturday and so we're going up there for the weekend to meet them. After travelling the length of Vietnam by train (good luck both!), they arrive back with us in Saigon 2 weeks later. Rach and Joe then arrive literally the day after my dad leaves! Should be a fun month.

Christmas is going to be different this year to say the least. Ian and Joan arrive on Christmas Eve and we're spending Christmas in Saigon. After this, we're off on an adventure - a 3 day motorbike tour through the central highlands before ending up at a beach resort for a few nights over New Year. Already getting quite excited.

Just heard that my trip back home has been postponed now but I'll be coming back for a bit just before Christmas. Got to be back in the UK for meetings on 17th December so will be around the weekend before or after, or maybe both, with a big box of Vietnamese conical hats which everyone will be getting for Christmas presents.

Chiao for now, hope to see you soon.
Chris and Lucy
x

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Photos

A Fish Farm
Some of the people live their whole lives on these!

Our Fisherman Friend
He invited us in to his home for a cuppa!

Posing and rowing?
Someone's been watching too much of "...'s Next Top Model"

Beautiful butterflies everywhere, big ones too
Not bad for our little camera?

Comments

[Yvette]

I really love reading the blogs that you guys leave and looking at your pics!!! I get so excited when a new one is posted! U must be having a truly amazing time and I really cannot wait to hear all about it when you guys finally venture home - Lucy you can have some cuddles with Everleigh then who by then may be as big as us at the rate she is growing!!! Take care xxx