30th January, 2017

An earlyish pick up and we set off due east for Ha Long Bay and an overnight stay on a boat in the bay itself. The drive took about 4 hours through some rather ugly  industrial ribbon development with factories and housing springing up in a rather haphazard way. What was often strange was to see one ‘rocket’ house all on its own looking more like a rocket than ever. We wondered if there was a standard width for housing in the area as they do seem to follow a set pattern. We did stop at a big outlet where they sold goods made by those with disabilities as a result of the American War, ranging from massive statues to lacquerware and clothes and pretty much everything in between. We did like some of the lacquerware but the shipping cost was more than the goods themselves! You may be relieved to know that our garden will not be graced by a massive lion, a giant dragon or an enormous Buddha, though I did think the fountain below would look fab in the garden! We also stopped by a pearl farm, where they explained the process for cultivating pearls, which was interesting.

We arrived at the place where you catch the tender for your boat in what seemed to be a rather large and quite busy seaport. We were then shipped out (or would that be ‘tendered’) to our home for the night. The boat was quite big (there is a photo below) with nice cabins and we were soon chugging out through the extraordinary seascape of  limestone outcrops that is Ha Long Bay.

We made a brief stop at one of the 1969 islands of the bay that has an impressive cave, so it was onto the tender and up some steps and into the cave itself.

There was a good view from the cave and a nice little beach, though no swimming. To be honest, it did not feel that warm. It is winter here, you know!

It was then time for a sundowner courtesy of happy hour as the sun set over the bay. It was that or kayaking for 45 minutes or going for a swim. I rest my case…..

Dinner on board with singing and dancing by the staff was followed for those who wished by a movie, ‘Indochine’, set, you guessed it, Ha Long Bay. Val watched, I slept!

31st January, 2017

The next morning was an early start with a light snack followed by a trip on a fishing boat propelled very ably by a small, but obviously strong young lady round the islands and the floating fishing village. Very magical! And I even managed to snap a sunrise.

Then back for brunch as we sailed slowly back to port before our transfer to Hanoi Airport for our flight to Hue. We had a bit of time to kill so Tam took us to a vegetable smallholding which was beautifully laid out and maintained. He also skilfully snapped a panorama photo with us in it twice!

We managed to get on an earlier flight to Hue, which gave us enough time to check into our new hotel (the Saigon Morin, an old French colonial hotel – quite nice if a bit impersonal) and do a quick walk along the Perfume River for a bite to eat.

And guess what, we were in time for happy hour again! More on the historical city of Hue next time. Till then….