We left Hanoi early in the morning to go to Ha Long Bay (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ha_Long_Bay). However, this meant we had to drive through Hanoi’s morning traffic in a mini-van…
Driving to Ha Long Bay.
Driving to Ha Long Bay 02.
Driving to Ha Long Bay 03.
Driving to Ha Long Bay 04.
We arrive safely at dockside in Ha Long City – we didn’t hit anything, we weren’t struck by anything… but I do recall near-conversions to several religions along the way.
Dockside at Ha Long City.
Our cruise-junk.
Departing Ha Long City harbour.
Fishers travelling on Ha Long Bay.
Ha Long Bay from the aft roof deck.
The air was missing something… so, I christened the roof deck with a cigar.
A fine cigar and a great view.
Some of the 2000+ islands of Ha Long Bay.
Fishers tied up at buoy.
Pagoda and radio mast.
Sampan in front of cave.
Kayak and pedal-boat rentals.
Floating fisher village with kayak rentals.
Small fishing sampans.
Kayak rentals.
Once we reach our over-night anchorage, we transfer to a smaller vessel for a trip to a large island featuring a limestone cave system.
Race to get the tourists to the cave tour first.
Fishers’ floating homes.
Cement-hulled vessels.
Another cruise-junk.
Local shrine carved into the limestone.
View of harbour from trail leading to caverns.
Entrance to the caverns.
Inside the caverns.
Inside the caverns 02.
Inside the caverns 03.
Rock formation known as the “Happy Buddha”?!?!
View from the exit at the top of the caverns.
Sun silhouetting a ship.
Sun silhouetting a sampan.
Local vendors.
Sun silhouetting tourist vessels.
Fishers navigating between the tourist vessels.
Along the way, we stopped for a swim at a beach.
“Secluded” overnight anchorage.
Okay, not exactly “secluded”, but very picturesque.
Tourist junks twinkling in the night.
East to Hedon
East to Hedon 