Saturday 7th March 2015 – Out to Halong Bay

Saturday 7th March 2015

Today is our boat trip out to Halong Bay, so it was a very early start. The alarm was set for 5.45am. Before we set off we had a very nice breakfast buffet that was unexpectedly included in the price of the room. We then packed and went down to the lobby at 7.15am for the bus at 7.30am. We were told that this was the time on the ticket but in reality it was usually much later. As it turned out it was a good job we were’t too much are as the mini bus arrived at 7.50am

One couple from Oz were already onboard, then we went to another hotel to get a German couple. This bus took us all the way out to the bit after the driver had issued us with a bottle of water, he set off though the awful traffic. It was even busier than normal, as we hit the rush hour. We were soon into more rural areas – lots and lots of paddy fields. It was a fascinating drive, watching the people in field after field after field – a lot which had gravestones in, which looked strange.

There was also an unbelievable amount of crazy over and under taking by every type of vehicle that could. After an hour or so, we had a stop for coffee at service area that had a workshop and retail areas for things made by disabled people, it was a popular stop with lots of coaches and mini buses all apparently heading for Halong stopping there. We didn’t buy anything apart from coffee, but enjoyed the free wi-fi and were surprised by the photo testimonials of happy buyers, that included their full addresses and emails.

Back on the road, we continued towards the coast, the driving just got crazier as we passed through the various towns – the overtaking just got more desperate – the worst bit being when we were on a dual carriageway and came to traffic lights where we wanted to turn left against the traffic. There were two lanes of traffic that were queueing and then two more formed making four – completely blocking the traffic causing much beeping horns and chaos as everyone in the four lines tried to merge into one lane.

Eventually we arrived at a resort area that was still being built and we parked up. There were lots of buses and loads of people. We are at Ha Long Tourist wharf, there are several of tender boats waiting to take passengers out to the cruise boats moored out of the harbour. Our guide asked us all to follow him and we sat in a waiting area – he explained that there was us six plus some Italians in one tender and we and waiting for group of 8 Russians (who later turned out to be Latvians!) for the other tender.

They turned up a couple of minutes later and we took the tender out to our boat, which is called Harmony. We boarded through the rear and were guided up into the bar / restaurant area where we were given a drink and a bit of a briefing. A time table was handed out and we were given room key room to cabin 201 on second deck of three. We got our bags and took them to the cabin, which is very nice with a shower / loo and storage areas – it isn’t the biggest room we have had, but it will be more then adequate. The boat also has free (but very slow) wi-fi.

As we set sail we were given a buffet lunch, which included a very nice shrimp salad, cooked meats and and hot fish. Very nice indeed after we had eaten we went up onto the sundeck, as it has now stopped raining. We set off from the harbour and cruised out to Halong Bay in a flotilla of at least 40 boats that we could see.

Our first port of call were the aptly named Surprise Caves. We all got into one tender and headed for the dock. Again, it was really well organised, with our party being split into two – one with an English guide and the Russians with a native speaker. The caves were huge and the path through them was well marked. our guide posted our several points of interest and explain that during the war many locals came to the caves to hide away fro the bombing and fighting. One rock that wa shaped like a turtle had a bowl full of money left to it, as locals believe that giving money to turtles brings prosperity.

After exiting through various gift shops and gift boats, we rejoined the tender for a trip across to Titov island. The tender dripped us off and we had a choice of staying on the very nice man made beach to soak up the (non- existent) sun and swim or climb the 500 plus steps up to the top of the tower for a panoramic view of Halong bay. We elected to take the step challenge. It was hard work, but the view was worth it. I even managed to drop my glasses on the way up, but someone picked them up and asked whose they were when they got to the top after us.

At 5pm we got the tender back to the boat. It has been dry while we have been off the boat, but it isn’t sun bathing weather. Certainly not cold, and there isn’t a breath of wing in the bay. Back on the boat we chilled fora bit and got changed for dinner. When we got to the restaurant, it was happy hour. Buy two drinks, get one free. We took advantage and had some Han Oi Bia. As it was dark I went up on the sundeck to take photos and counted at least 47 other boats around us. there were more, some were tucked behind others.

The evening meal was a lovely buffet, so after the beers it was time for food. A very nice salad then curry and chicken and fish with a variety of side dishes form all parts of the world – including some chips! During and after the meal we had a chat with the Aussies and the German couple, both couples were well travelled and very interesting.

After the meal the only evening activity was Squid fishing off the back of the boat. We watched for a while, but it wasn’t really our thing so we left them to it, but we found out the next morning that none were caught. We had a reasonably early night.