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We woke up at 6.30ish, our earliest start yet. After showers and packing all our stuff up again we headed down for breakfast. I chose the pancakes to keep me filled for the journey. Next we checked out of the room and waited for our tour guide to pick us up from the hotel. We also agreed to settle our bill, including the train and trip when we got back.
We set off on the 3-4 hour bus journey around 8.30, the tour guide spoke reasonably good English, and the 16 people on the bus were mainly english tourists. The bus allowed us to see some of the countryside, but also was a unique experience, the driver was quite often on the opposite side of the road driving into the oncoming traffic.
The bus stopped once in a small shopping place, this had great stuff but was quite expensive.
We arrived in halong bay at 12midday, and after a bit of waiting we headed out on a taxi boat to our ship in the bay.
All of us congregated in the restaurant area where we got some mango juice.
Next we saw our room, although we asked for a triple room with three beds we appear to have ended up with a double and a single. Anyway we told the guide and there wasn't much he could do, so we settled for this with me and Sam sharing, and decided to complain at the hostel tomorrow when we settle the bill.
Next up was lunch, there was a number of dishes brought out. Very filling. We also met two girls from Aberdeen that shared our table, so we headed to the top deck to talk more before the next trip.
Not long after the taxi boat arrived and we headed to the amazing cave, it was huge. But the entrance was up a lot of steps, and in this heat it was instantly the most sweaty I have ever been!
After the caves and amazing views, we took the taxi again to the kayaking place. I chose to share with Isha, and sam went in a single. After an Isha fail at getting in and nearly falling in the water we headed out into the islands. We saw a few caves before me and Isha managed to capsize! Nowhere near any boats or islands, but fortunately the very salty water meant it was easy to float. With some help from some other kayakers and a sweet Vietnamese boat shop lady, we both managed to get back on the kayak by climbing on the shop boat first.
Our soaked clothes made it much harder to float, but after Isha gave the boat shop owner her last 50000 dong for saving our lives we headed back to the barge slowly.
We eventually made it and got out, managing to be the only people to capsize, just our luck. We headed back to the big ship, once on board it headed to the swimming location and dock for the night. While waiting we were given a lesson in Vietnamese spring roll making, we all got a turn and we got to eat them at dinner.
Once in the swimming place everyone was diving off the third deck, not for me with my ankle though. Plus I already had my swim for the day.
Next we sun bathed on the top deck trying to dry, and then showered. Before meeting on the deck to chat to the other people on the boat and hear their travelling stories.
Dinner was huge, felt so full we just headed back to top deck for a few beers and more talk. Then we attempted to fish off the boat, using a light at the front. This was impossible, fish were too fast and smart. So more beers and talking, there were also a few thunderstorms and lightning, plus rainfall a few times.
Everyone was tired from the early start, so sleep an another early start!
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