Halong Bay (Day 10)

 Halong Bay is a UN World Heritage site, some hundred plus kilometres to the east of Hanoi.  We drove there by coach, taking about four hours.  On the way, we stopped at a site where they produce and sell a range of goods, including marble sculptures, paintings and embroidery.  This government run institution was set up to provide work for disabled and disadvantaged people from the surrounding area.  I must say that the work was of a particularly high standard.  I was particularly impressed with the sculptures and embroidery.  The prices were very reasonable and the shipping costs surprisingly low.  The only thing was, I didn’t really know where I’d put a pair of eight feet high lions or a twenty feet high fountain!  However, I did buy an embroidered picture, on which the girl is still working.  It will take a total of two months to complete!

Halong Bay is very impressive and quite beautiful.  It’s a natural bay of some 1,600 square kilometres, although you wouldn’t really know that you’re in a bay, since it is full of some 2,000 small islands, each with vertical cliff faces and covered in vegetation.  Apart from the visual appeal of the islands, they also break up the waves so that the bay is like a mill pond.  Unfortunatly, it was a bit misty the day we were there, so some of my pictures aren't too clear.

We went out on one of the specially designed junks (motor powered) and spent twenty four hours on board.  It was luxuriously appointed and we each had our own, well-equipped cabin, complete with a modern bathroom (our boat was only built last year).  We had an excellent seafood lunch and a good Vietnamese dinner in the evening.

After lunch, we visited some limestone caves that were on one of the islands.  These were only opened a few years ago and, although quite impressive, were not as spectacular as others I have seen, for example, in Portugal.

Kayaking and swimming was available in the bay for those who wanted, although sadly I declined.  I was hit with a severe round of the squats while on board, my first of the holiday, and didn’t think it would be too wise.

The way the Vietnamese crew crouch on their haunches on the side of the ship amused me, so I've included a picture.

I’m slightly concerned about the overnight train ride we have coming this evening.  Apparently it’s not too smart at the best of times and we’re advised to take our own toilet paper as that which is provided soon runs out.  Rushing back and forth to disgusting toilets throughout the night doesn’t sound like too much fun.