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Published: June 23rd 2010
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Fighting Chickens
Some of the islands are named-these are the Fighting Chickens. Our last day in Vietnam. We have spent the last 5 days in Hanoi. In the city shopping, eating, drinking (Le Pub is a great place in the Old Quarter), and avoiding getting run down by motorbikes. We did find the ice cream lady-coconut ice cream cones for 25 cents-bargain. We decided to do the Halong Bay tour-we heard horror stories about other companies and booking agents so we really didn't know what to expect. We booked ours through our hotel, Thai Son Hotel and the cruise company was Hanoi Opera Cruises. We left yesterday at 8:00 am, being picked up by a very nice mini-bus with good air-conditioning and away we went. A 3 1/2 hour ride to Halong Bay which went pretty fast as there is a lot to see on the way there. Lots of rice paddies and farms, with cemetaries in the middle. Too many children's graves though, rather sad.
We had a very small group on the boat-only eleven passengers. A couple from Australia, honeymooners from France, a father and son from Brazil, a solo traveler from Japan, and another couple from Holland. At least 7 crew members-the service was outstanding.
We get to
Our Boat-Hanoi Opera
We didn't want to leave. the bay and a small boat took us to the junk. Beautiful boat-three stories. First floor is cabins and registration, second floor cabins and lounge areas, and third floor elegant dining room with a bar and more lounge areas. The top floor for sunning and jumping off but I will get to that in a minute! They served us lunch immediately, we settled into our cabins which were lovely with great air-conditioning, then began the tour.
The small boat took us to Surprise Cave. That was really a surprise as it is quite large. Our guide, Chung, told me pythons, scorpions, monkeys and rats live in there. That made me a little bit more aware of my surroundings. 😊 After the cave we were given kayaks and we went around the bay for about an hour. We did pretty well for our first time kayaking with each other. We found some strong currents but avoided that pretty quick. Then off to the beach where you had a choice of climbing 457 steps to take a breathtaking picture or swim and lie on the beach. No breathtaking picture for us- we stayed on the beach for another hour or so.
Halong Bay
On the boat. Back to the boat where Steven, some of the other people and the crew jumped off of the boat. They started with the third floor but of course that wasn't high enough. They all went up to the top. I took pictures-wasn't easy but I did get couple of good ones of Steven making his jumps. Dinner was served-at least 6 courses, I've really no idea as I lost track. After dinner you could watch a movie or loung on the deck. Of course we chose lounging once again. Our group was probably the best part-we all got on well with lots of laughs. The temperature was bearable with a nice breeze and clear skies with bright stars. The junks are all lit up with lights and the silhouettes of the mountains with a moonlit night-pretty close to perfect. Halong Bay is one of the seven natural wonders of the world-really incredible to see. Halong Bay means descending dragons. Looks like dragons from a distance.
That night a big storm-lightning and heavy rain. Really pretty to watch-from inside the cabin! We had brunch the next day and back to the dock at noon. Nice drive home and very sad
Captain Suzie
They let me wear the hat and steer the boat! goodbyes as everyone left to go their own way. We have a very nice group photo to remind us of our friends.
Funny side story. We were sitting in Le Pub having some food and a father with his teenage son were sitting next to us. The man asked if we were from North America. We said yes, California. Then he said, what city? We said, Sacramento. He said, what part of Sacramento? We said, Midtown. He laughed and said me too. He lives 7 blocks from us! He is a professor from UC Davis working here for the summer and brought his son along. It was really nice talking with them, and yes, it is a small world after all. 😊
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Debra
non-member comment
wow
I want to go! You both look so rested in your photos. I can see why, beautiful surroundings and not a care in the world.