Halong Bay

Had a rather early call this morning for our trip to Halong Bay.  Our guide told us that you haven't really been to Hanoi unless you visit Halong Bay and we are believers.  That being said, many people do a one or two night cruise of the bay and we did just a day trip.  It made for a really long day - almost 8 hours in the car driving and four hours out on the water - but - with limited time it worked for us.  HalongBay is noted for limestone rocks sticking out of the water to form really interesting formations.  There are also some incredible caves to be explored.  It reminded us of the Li River in China.

Kissing Rock

Duck Rock

Just a Pretty Rock

And Naturally, there was food - tons of food.  When we got to the dock, we find this boat that would have held 30 people waiting for just us.  We saw the biggest and most beautiful cave and then had lunch - a feast.  Spring rolls, squid and veggies, whole fried fish, shrimp, rice, Water Morning Glory Spinach, crab cakes, fresh pineapple and off course a cold beer.






We got back to hour hotel around 8, showered quickly and then went out to get a close by dinner.  Food was great, cheap and plentiful as usual.  The scene on a Friday night in Hanoi was the star of the evening.  Near our hotel, there were bars with people spilling out onto the street, sitting on little plastic stools, drinking beer, eating peanuts and having a great time.  As they crept more and more out into the street with the scooters parked here and there, the traffic kept coming.   I am going to try to post a short video of the scene.  I don't know if you will get the full flavor or not but it was a real kick to watch.

 

Off to Chiang Mai tomorrow and a real early call.  Leaving hotel at 6:15 for a 9 AM flight.  I think the hotel staff is being a little overly cautious but oh well, better to be 30 minutes early then 30 minutes late.