Halong Bay

Our trip to Ha Long Bay started in Hanoi on a minibus ride that lasted a few hours.

Arriving at the port was quite surprising. The number of boats and tourists was not expected. We wound our way around and through the throngs of people and boats and eventually found the our boat.

We motored out (sadly these boats never use the colorful sails) and were on our way.

For the next 3 days and 2 nights (one night spent on the boat, one night spent in a hotel on Cat Ba island) we checked out the different sights of Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba island and the surrounds.

The area is just not believable until you see it: the sheer rock faces jutting out from the water; the little caves and inlets; the jungle that covers the islands; the floating villages; all of it - just amazing.

We spent our time swimming, kayaking, hiking through the jungle, but really, mostly, just enjoying beers on the boat! (It's Hanoi time!)

Sadly, the bus ride back to Hanoi came all too quickly, and with it, the end of my trip to Vietnam. I had only that evening to spend in Hanoi before heading out to the airport for my overnight flight through Seoul and back home.