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So, we all had breakfast on Thursday morning and checked out, and were picked up for our 4 hour transfer in a cosy minibus to the town of Ha Long. This is where the world famous Unesco Ha Long Bay is. For those of you who want to know all about Ha Long Bay take a look at Wikipedia if you have the time. If not its a big bay with lots of big rocks sticking out of the water.
The journey was pretty boring, passing through various districts covered in either cement dust or coal dust. Thank God we had a happy smiling guide to point out certain landmarks, but to honest he could have been making it up. Anyway, after 4 hours of dust covered, grim looking landscape, and also possibly the worst road we have travelled on EVER, we arrived at Ha Long Bay and tranfered to our new home for the next 2 days, the Junk - Vspirit. This was a Chinese style mini cruiser that would take us round the bay, feed and entertain us whilst on board.
The cabins were ok although a little tired looking. Dave & Joanne paid a little extra for a Premier room. This worked out to be more Blue Square rather than Barclays Premier!! The bay was amazing, the weather was very misty as it is mostly in the north of the country. Ian supplied the music on the top deck whilst a lady in a little rowing boat supplied the beers....for a reduced fee of course. Even the people living on the floating villages are trying to flog you stuff, in this case beer. I managed to get 10 cans of Hanoi beer for 200'000 dong this is about £6.
After some beers and the evening meal it was mentioned that we could go squid fishing over the side. Dave's eyes lit up and he wanted to make things a little more interesting and fish for money. We all know Dave, his fishing and the competitiveness........I could smell something. Ian and Dave disappeared to the front. I followed soon after and found Ian and Dave fishing off the side. I picked up a rod, which was a piece of bamboo, on a line with something on the end, which looked a little advanced for the Vietnamese. I asked Dave about the fancy hook. My suspicions were confirmed as this was something Dave had supplied as part of his dodgy squid fishing plan. He also had an ultra violet torch concealed in his pocket, to shine where he was fishing to attract the squid. This was devious at its best.....shame on you Mr Williamson. We all had the last laugh when the tourch failed to work. Therefore, Dave's master plan didn't work either, and nobody caught any squid.
So with the fishing drawing a blank, the three of us went back to the others who were playing cards. Dave sloped off to his room with a view next to the engine room sulking. I witnessed Brian spank everyone at cards. It wasn't long before they all drifted off to bed leaving me and Mrs Y propping up the bar.
Next day for those up early enough, Tai Chi was available on the top deck during the misty sun rise. Out of our lot, Denise was the only participant with Joan providing moral support by watching. With breakfast done and dusted and out of the way we continued to sail round the bay taking in the sites. The weather again was a little disappointing as with the mist, came the rain......this didn't dampen our spirits too much. The boat stopped near to an island where you could get off and see the monkeys who are living in the wild. This is something that Dave and Joanne decided to do while the rest decided to stay on the boat.
Shortly after they returned and we had a couple of demonstrations. First from the chef on making flowers out of fruit and veg.....GREAT!!!! The other demonstration was given by the tour guide on making spring rolls.......BETTER!!!! This did have a variety of results within our group. Following that, yet more food as we returned to the harbour we set out from.
Once there, we eventually piled back in the minibus, this time a little better in comfort but only just, for the return trip to Hanoi. This along the Road Of Death. I've since learnt that this is the main route from Vietnam to China and as you can imagine, it was busy with no rules or road discipline. The journey took 5 hours due to a truck having a coming together with the cental reservation, which caused major problems with people pushing in.....idiots.
Finally back at the Tirant Hotel once more in Hanoi. We checked in to our room this time 813......only a bloody suit. Lovely room and gutted we were only there for one night as tomorrow we were off to Da Nang, and that we are all really looking forward to. Next stop Vin Pearl - Da Nang with pure luxury awaits.
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Katie Scott Not like Dave to be competitive!! x