Nov 1

Ha Long Bay

Got up at 6:30 am, late for most trips. Haha I consider that sleeping in now. Had breakfast and then headed to the boat. I have NEVER seen so many boats in my life. The boats were all make of wood and do not look like they would be that impressive but they are actually quite well made and almost ferry/barge like. There is the inside room and then the upper deck. It was hazy and rainy so on our way out into the bay we would be in and out of the boat with the scattered rain showers. We went early but I can only imagine the herds of people that go through the bay. Our group had our own boat so it was nice. It was rainy but we were hoping the monsoon would hold out. On the way out to the islands we got random showers but there were breaks. Got to the caves and climbed up a bunch of stairs and walked through. It was so amazing it didn’t look real. They had put all different lights throughout the save to show off all the hangings and crevices. It looked like something in a Disney ride. But it was natural and is made of limestone. Walked through and came out the other side of the cave. Back on the boat for our 4 hour tour. Weaved in and out of the islands taking pictures, relaxing, and chatting with parents and fellow SASers. Stopped when it got a little sunny and people went swimming for a while. I didn’t wear my suit because it was raining in the morning and didn’t think it would have been ok to swim. So I just sat up top on deck and soaked up the few rays with Christine. People were jumping off the top of the boat. It reminded me of Tabor Boy in the Caribbean. After swim time it was LUNCH time. Best meal of the trip hands down! Fresh fish, prawn, crab, calamari, French fries, the whole works. I didn’t want to get full. The islands are magnificent. They are trying to get Ha Long Bay to be a Natural World Wonder. I would definitely agree. It is just so beautiful. Like drops of rock randomly places covered with a green blanket. There are secret caves everywhere. On the way back it rained off and on again but the boat ride was smooth. Got back on the bus for the 3 hours drive back to Hanoi. Hip advised us that because of all the rain (20+ in) the city had flooded and it might take us a while to get into the city as we got closer. Sure enough as we got closer one of the towns outside the city was completely flooded. Cars in water up past doors, people wading in knee deep. Apparently the other SAS group that was traveling around Hanoi had to get off their bus and walk 2 km in water to another bus to get into the city. THANK GOD that was not our bus. That would not fly. Finally got to the hotel and checked in. Rested and then headed out to the Water Puppet show. The show was probably one of the most ridiculous and interesting things I have ever seen. The stage is set up in a pool of water and near the back of the pool is a scene with big shade like things covering the puppeteers. The puppets are on long pieces of wood that are under water and you can’t see it. The puppets were crazy looking, there were fireworks, there wasn’t a story line but short…short mini acts. The concept came to be from the farmers of the rice patties during the flood season and they had pools of water. Cool concept but very strange. Glad it was only an hour long. Next we went to dinner at a really nice restaurant. The food was really good. Went back to the hotel but went back out with a group of people to a hooka bar. Hip brought us to a very classy place but it was so cheap. A hooka only cost $5! We got our own private room filled with pillows everywhere. Hooka places in the US I feel are sketchy and just not nice. Wish we had more places like this. It was really cool.