8 Nov minibus to Ha Long Bay, very different agriculture on the way, dry not wet, fields like thousands of allotments growing potatos, sugar, various vegetables lots of people wearing light shades working their plots. Ha Long port containing many junks all fitted out for tourists. Rooms on junk very comfortable with en-suite including shower. Lunch on the boat (and all subsequent meals) superb. In separate courses beautifully presented, a whole crab each, dishes of shellfish, a huge shrimp, then the main course snapper fish perfectly cooked by the boats chef, fruit and vietnamese tea to finish. 8 staff on the junk looking after 6 of us.
The bay has hundreds of huge rocks, tree and shrub covered, rising steeply out of the water, some small ones in weird shapes (the dog rock, the kissing rocks) but mostly rising to vast heights, maybe 200 metres. Our junk weaved through them providing ever changing breathtaking scenic views all around. Stopped near one rock with (424) steps to the top where the sun-set over other rocks was well worth the climb. Had a swim off the beach at the bottom afterwards.
Next morning 9th we all got into a small boat which took us into what looked like a low cave in one of the rocks but turned out to be the only entrance to a hidden lagoon, maybe 100m diameter, with vertical rocks, trees and jungle and palm trees towering over us. Had good views of birds and monkeys in the trees with eagles soaring overhead. Magical.
Back to the junk which took us to another part of the bay where we all had a pleasant swim. Then more touring round the bay relaxing on sunbeds on the roof. Observed many local people living on rafts in small groups linked together. They are fishermen and each raft is mostly taken up with a small hut, maybe 4 to 5 metres square, in which they live. Also lots of pearl farming in the bay. Then to Dao Soi Sim island where more steps and rugged path to top for more spectacular views. Another swim at the bottom then another meal, more sailing around and laying on the sun-deck - bliss.
Today 10th 7am breakfast, more relaxing on the roof, weather throughout sunny but not too hot, 11am lunch, off the junk at 12 midday, minibus back to Hanoi where now updating blog late afternoon. Next is another meal at the nearby local fried fish restaurant (maybe we'll see the rat on the high shelf again, we persuaded Annie it must be a pet one). Then we leave Hanoi for the last time to catch an overnight train south.
How is everyone? All the Best,
John
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