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| Ha Long Bay |
On Wednesday, Pinky and I booked a one-day tour to the beautiful Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of northern Vietnam's most stunning natural treasures.
We left Hanoi at 8 in the morning, having been picked up by the tour
company just outside the gates of the grand old St. Joseph's Cathedral.
Several hours later, we arrived in the town of Ha Long, where we were
led onto a wooden boat and served a seafood lunch before departing from
the marina.
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| lunch on the boat |
Ha Long means "Descending Dragon" in Vietnamese. Throughout the bay, thousands of stunning limestone karsts jut up from the blue-green water like the teeth of a great dragon.
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| cruising out in the bay |
Soon, we were cruising through Ha Long Bay! Everyone migrated to the top deck of the boat, lounging in wicker chairs and sipping cans of Ha Long Beer or cold Coca Colas.
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| Ha Long Bay scenery |
We spent some time sailing through the bay. The sun was bright, the sky was clear, and there was a nice breeze.
The weather couldn't have been more different from the last time I visited Ha Long Bay!
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| a fishing boat |
After a while the boat stopped at the floating village so that the passengers could go kayaking. Pinky and I stayed on the boat, though. We were trying to save a little bit of money. Instead, we relaxed, read a book, and enjoyed the beautiful afternoon.
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| amazing limestone cliffs |
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| it's me! |
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| on the boat |
After a while, the boat sailed on to one of the bay's larger islands. There, we visited Hang Dau Go Cave.
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| island in Ha Long Bay |
We climbed a set of steep stone stairs up into the dense jungle of the island. A blast of cool air hit us when we reached the mouth of the cave - so different from the hot and muggy day outside!
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| boats at the island's docks |
Inside the cave, a winding path led us past some amazing and beautiful formations.
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| inside the cave |
After leaving the cave, the boat headed back to Ha Long, where we boarded a bus to take us back to Hanoi. Someday, I would like to book an overnight cruise in the bay. They are more expensive, but it would be nice to take more time enjoying the scenery. It was a wonderful day, though, and I didn't even get sunburnt
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