Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay  ( Sept 14th 2016)

Ha Long bay, in northeast Vietnam, is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped with rainforests. Junk boat tours and seakayak expeditions takes visitors past islands named for its shapes,  include Stone Dog and Teapot islets.
The region is popular for scuba diving, rock climbing and hiking especially in the mountainous Cat Ba National Park.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Halong translates as " where the dragon descends into the sea " and the legend tells that this mystical seascape was created when the great mountain dragon charged towards the coast, its flailing tail gouging out valleys and crevasses. As the creature plunge into the sea, the area filled with water leaving only the pinnacles visible.

The geological explanation of karst erosion may be more prosaic, but doesnt make this seascape less poetic !

Designated a World Heritage Site in 1994, Halong Bay's spectacular scatter of islands, dotted with wind and wave eroded grottoes is a vision of ethereal beauty.

looking out from our cruise balcony

grottoes

 

home-relocation program-sea platform

fishing boats out to check on their catch

Victor, the forever cheerful guide 

 our guide Victor, waiting for our return from our paddle-boat around the bay

Victor explaining to our group about Halong Bay

Victor explaining the process of pearl farming 

pearl

pearl farming from oysters

after the pearl farming educational tour, we proceed to a limestone cave...the small boat took us onto to a beach and we had to hike up a bit into the opening of the cave. Many many tourists on the hike, almost traffic jam .... even inside the spectacular cave was crowded with tourists...

the hike up and down filled with tourists

view from the cave - beautiful

and our group waiting for our boat to transfer us back to the Cristina Cruise, after a sweaty hike to cave

and so began our JUMPING EXERCISES ... lead by Ida (i must say, she's a pro)

 and this two must be doing the " RAIN DANCE "

Cristina's crew 

the evening before we were taken to a private beach to relax....swimming, kayaking... or beach jumping exercises ...

first time for Pat. She didnt know jump up or down !

and as evening sets , we were all on board our Cristina Cruise, all showered and cleaned up....just admiring the glorious sunset as it descends behind the spectacular limestone grottoes...

oops, whatsapp...whataspp 

sunsets

and as night falls, we tried our hand at squid fishing - just a long bamboo stick tied to a line and a squid hook and with a giant lamp to shine on to the water.... after 2 hours, we gave up ! and concluded that it is definitely NOT a squid season.

and next morning,breakfast was served as we slowly headed towards land. When we docked at Halong Bay, lunch was served on board. Food was average only. But the cruise boat and especially the room was amazing.

bedroom (a Queen & single bed) w onsuite and private balcony 

bathroom/toilet attached

vertical massage hot showers

corridor to dining area 

dining area /meeting area

and everyone on their phone...... nearing to shore

There are numerous types and price ranges for all the boat operators to Halong Bay...ranging from Day trip only to 1 or 2 nights on board the cruise. We decided on this 4 star Cristina Diamond Cruise includes all meals, activities and transfer to and fro our hotel in Hanoi. Our tour guide is a very cheerful, young man named Victor.

That's Victor introducing himself

our bus , 4 hour ride 

and along the highway from Hanoi to HaLong Bay, the toilet stop is at a huge souvenier/cafe place....


some silk handicraft  - silk weaving, so fine ....

beautiful hand made silk weaving 

and to say goodbye to our cute guide....