Sarina and Chris, Ha Long Bay Cruise, Hanoi!
The past few days we have been on a cruise through Ha Long Bay. We had no wifi or service on the boat so here is the update:
We met Sarina and Chris on the 12th in Hanoi and caught everyone up on our recent adventures. It was comforting and reassuring to be conversing with familiar faces, no need for the traveller small talk!
Early morning on the 13th we began our journey to the harbour. We had a 4 hour bus, a ferry, another bus, and then a tender onto the boat. A very long, tiring journey made bearable by further catching up with Sarina.
The boat was massive with 3 jacuzzis, 4 floors, an entertainment room, dining buffet area, and a sky deck. On entering the boat we were greeted by the very eccentric captain. He was the embodiment of Mr Chow from the hangover films to the extent we decided he must be doing it on purpose. He was blinged out with a gold watch, leather jacket, and spoke with a cheeky and enticing voice.
We had lunch and checked into our rooms. The rooms were amazing with huge beds, lacquered wood paneling, and a huge bathroom. We now had some free time before the beach as we sailed around the bay. Huge limestone mountains stick out of blue water. The only unfortunate aspect of our cruise was the weather; it was bloody freezing. Jumpers, coats, trousers, the whole lot and we were still cold.
The beach trip was short lived as we all became far too cold after our 5 minute swim and a pee break. The crew lit a fire pit and we huddled with our beers trying to fry off and wake up.
Dinner was buffet style followed by a live band, karaoke, beer pong tournament, card games, jacuzzi, and off to bed.
Day 2 began with breakfast and a tender ride to a dock in the middle of Ha Long Bay. Here we picked up bicycles and rode for 20 minutes on the winding mountain roads to reach a small village. The restaurant could’ve doubled as a petting zoo. Puppies, kittens, fish all ran around (well not the fish) demanding attention. This kept robin occupied as the rest of us went on a 2 and a half hour hike up the tallest mountain in Ha Long Bay. The view was a let down with low clouds obscuring the vista. The decent was treacherous with some light rain coating the smooth rocks creating footings slipperier than ice.
Once back on the boat we situated ourselves nicely in a hot tub and enjoyed the views from a much warmer environment.
The next morning Robin and I got up to go kayaking. Chris and Sarina valued sleep and the warmth of their bed so rather sensibly opted out.
At midday it was time to leave the boat and complete the arrival journey in reverse. On arriving back in Hanoi, we all decked the air quality shift as the coughing began from all the pollution.
Early night tonight before a day of fakes shopping tomorrow.
-M
