Cruising the Bay

We did end up venturing outside again yesterday -we got absolutely soaked and lost because we both couldn't see out our steamed up wet glasses! All we managed to do was buy water and bananas before had to give up and go back to the guesthouse.

We regrouped and went out again a bit later when the rain had mostly stopped and had a awesome dinner, dessert and two drinks each all for $17. Mmm Vietnam!

The next day was our first full day in Vietnam and we got straight down to adventuring. We travelled 3.5 hours from Hanoi to Ha Long City where we boarded our boat - The Paloma - for 2 days cruising on Ha Long Bay. The rain had stopped and the sun was out. :-D The boat was very luxurious, although Rosie says it reminds her of Poirot and Death on the Nile!

Our Boat - The Paloma

View from the top deck

 The first thing we did was have a welcome drink and then lunch while cruising the bay. The food was pretty amazing and there were about 7 courses-I took a picture of every course like a good tourist!

 

 

After lunch Rosie was out on the deck so I volunteered us for kayaking to a floating fishing village. Ros boycotted this when she came back and we went for the option of getting rowed there by a woman from the village instead. I was glad we didn't kayak there in the end-it was so hot and a loooong way, we'd probably still be out there kayaking in circles and fighting if we'd tried it.

We borrowed Vietnamese hats to wear in the sun.




 

After,we returned to our boat and went swimming in the Bay-very refreshing. We had showers in our cabin and then put on dresses! Not very like us but we're on a cruise so we wanted to make an effort. We had some sangria on the top deck as the sun went down and we cruised to the place where we will be docking for the night.

 

 

Before dinner we had a cooking class making spring rolls. There was a competition for the best roll but Rosie and I were about as good at making spring rolls as we are at sushi and we didn't win.

We had a great sleep in our cabin and still no sign of sea sickness for either of us. :-) (No murders have been announced either so I don't think Poirot will be coming aboard)!

 

The next day, after breakfast (I had pancakes, croissant, profiteroles, bacon, fruit and noodle soup!) The boat stopped at 'Surprising Cave' where we had a tour around the cave system. There were women in boats selling fish to the tour boat chefs alongside the jetty. I felt a bit sad for the rays swimming around tied on to the side of the boats until they got sold and cooked for dinner.

After the cave we had lunch (I'm think I've given up on a six pack and I'm working on becoming obese instead)! and cruised back through the Bay to Ha Long City and took the bus trip back to Hanoi. I forgot to mention last time the crazy traffic on the journey. Well, it seemed crazy to me, but I don't like to overtake unless I can see 2km of clear road so.... at least we now know that 5 vehicles can fit across a two lane road-more if a couple of motorbikes squeeze in too!