Monday 12 October Halong Bay

Time for breakfast and then check out of the hotel as we board the coach for Halong Bay. Traffic chaotic as usual but weather is good apart from the usual pollution haze.

We pass new areas being developed by a local business man. Private ownership is now okay in this Communist country but all I see are the rich getting richer. We pass rice fields and I see a few water buffalo in fields but didnt get any photos.

We then pass oyster beds and stop at a local pearl farm to be shown the different pearls and the mandatory shop (which did not tempt me at all).

We arrive at Bhaya cruise centre and are welcomed sboard our boat, but have to walk through another boat to get to ours! We are in cabin 107 and it will do just fine for w nights although they're is no room for suitcases and they don't fit under the beds! The little balcony is lovely but likely to be too hot during the day to sit out.

We are no sooner on board and we set off. We are given our safety briefing in the dining room, introduced to staff and lunch is underway. It was really good.

Plenty of picture perfect views in every direction. Lots of boats out too.

After lunch we have an option to go kayaking or on the tender for a cruise around the bays. J can't swim so don't go kayaking and I have no idea who else works go with me so opt for the tender trip. May have turned out a wise decision as while out on the tender we had to go and rescue an older fellow who was in a kayak on his own as he simply couldn't paddle any longer! Chances are I would have been lumbered with him...

Back safely on board and we have a little down time until happy hour! I've booked myself in for a massage tomorrow afternoon after lunch. Im thinking that I might just enjoy it... Happy hour up on deck 3 where we get to see a beautiful sunset.

Amazing crescent shaped moon as well, so perfect first evening in the bay.

Time for dinner which was served as a buffet on the top deck.

After dinner we were back on deck 3 to try 2 types of rice wine. Thankfully only a thimble full of each a they were like paint stripper! We could have waited another hour to try squid fishing but opted for our cabin. We have managed to get the air conditioner working too well as it was a bit icy so opted to make use of the duvets provided otherwise there is only a top sheet for each bed. It is very quiet and the bay is very calm. It's been a lovely day in Halong Bay and had thankfully changed my impression of the place from my original visit over 15 years ago. (Wifi is spotty so lucky it is back on for the moment)