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The short flight from Louang Probang was very pleasant. We were expecting the worst from Laos Airlines but despite it being a short flight of only 50 minutes we were given lunch and free drinks. Jackpot! We were so glad we opted to fly after bumping into some other travellers who had bared the 30 hour coach journey, having been held up on the border for hours.
We rung ahead from Louang Probang and booked a night in the Hanoi Backpoackers Hostel in the centre of town and also a trip to Ha Long Bay for the following morning, so we dropped our stuff off, grabbed some odd street food from the road side and went to bed.
The next morning we were picked up at 8am and headed for Ha Long Bay some 4 hours east. We arrived at the port around midday and borded our ship - A Junk called 'The Jolly Roger'. Not long after setting sail we were fed lunch.. a large selection or rice, vegetables, vietnamese dishes and seafood. Was very tasty. We then headed up to the to the top deck to enjoy the blazing sunshine, a cold beer and the amazing landscape.
The deeper we went into the limestone islands the more impressive it got. After a couple of hours of sailing the boat dropped anchor and we were able to jump in and have a swim - it optimistically brought my snorkel but disappointingly the water wasn't very clear and in places quite dirty, which put us off a little.
After a quick dip we docked at a floating village selling live fish and other sea oddities before grabbing our life jackets and claiming a kayak. The kayaking was pretty hardcore actually, we were going over an hour before we arrived at the Sung Sot caves. The caves were very impressive. Lots of stalactites and stalagmites and a secluded lagoon that fills up when the tide is in. At times we had to almost crawl to fit through the tight spaces and once in the deepest part of the cave we all turned our torches off and it was complete darkness. Crawling back out we dived back into our Kayaks and headed back for the boat before night set in.
A quick change and shower in our cabin with ensuite and upstairs to dinner. Another yummy selection of food - think most of the money we paid for the trip was on the meals. Then we settled down to happy hour drinks and some fun drinking games with the other travellers and the tour guide - Anderson. Was a really fun night.
The next morning we had to be up and out of our rooms by 7:30am?!?!?... no idea why!? so to wake myself up I climbed to the very top of the boat and jumped in... awesome. Steph decided to shower and emerge more gracefully.
After more food we set off on the 3 hour sail back to shore. Ha Long Bay was amazing and every bit like it looks on TV and on postcards, although we feel it has been ruined by tourists as the water was dirty in places and at times there were quite a few boats around. It does come recommended though and we loved it. Now, back to Hanoi to explore the hustle and bustle of Vietnam's capital.
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