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Tuesday 3rd November
Up, packed and ready to check at 8am, Trip to Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island.
Our journey from Hanoi took 3 hours and we finally arrived at the Port, we were directed to our boat by our captain "Not quite the officer and gentleman type Captain" But still nice...!! After checking our passports we boarded our boat which was beautiful, wooden carved, drapes and big settee's. Wow this is not what you would call typical backpacking!! After taking in the sights of the boat, we sat down to a 3 course meal which consisted of fresh fish, spring rolls, rice, vegetables and fresh dragon fruit and watermelon (amazing). After eating lunch we had chance to sit up on the deck and soak up the sun. Now this is what it's all about... After an hour or so we reached our first tourist spot, the caves of Ha Long Bay. Wow!! They were imense. Our guide pointed out various different shapes of the cave, one of which was like the lucky Buddha. It was said that if you touch the Buddha you would become rich. In what way was down to you!! We explored the cave for a good hour or so, then boarded back our boat to take us to a beautiful beach where we had the opportunity of swimming, although as we reached this after 5pm it was a bit cold. So RAT decided against it. After about 30mins we boarded the boat again, dropped anker in the middle of the bay where we had another plethera of amazing food. Dinner over with, out comes the karoke machine, oh dear....!!! A few beers later and R get's on the mike and then T joins R with a duet. Shania Twain - Man I feel like a Women!! Oh dear is all we can say!! Went to bed after we had exhausted the collection of chick songs, but not before another visit to the top deck to star gaze, Beautiful!!
Wednesday 4th November
Up early at 7am, well early for RAT anyway!! Had a lovely cooked breakfast and fresh fruit. Ummm lovely!! Arrived at our first destination Ha Long Bay National Park, Mountain Bike Riding and a stroll through the lush green parks. So serene this was lovely. After this we sailed off for our afternoon activity "Kayaking" Had lunch and then RAT entered the Kayak. We did this for 45mins and was a killer on the arms, we were proud we managed to keep up with the other "Man powered kayaks" After this we sailed for 45mins to Cat Ba Island which was very pretty and quaint. Got picked up from the port and were taken to "The Holiday View Hotel" Wow, definitely not backpacking. Room was very spacious and overlooked the sea, perfect!! Went to dinner and then a few beers, perfect end to a great couple of days. In total only 8people on our trip, RAT the youngest with others being slighly older but very very young at heart. One of the couples Laurel and Jenny from Perth, OZ. We got on very well with and hope to visit them when we get to Perth.
Thursday 5th November
Checked out of our room and headed to our luxurious 5* hotel which we booked with our 4day/4night excersion. OMG this hotel is something else, 2 swimming pools, spa, tennis courts, games rooms, underground pirate bar and a beach right on the door step. Literally a walk of 5mins, you were on the white sand and crystal blue water, bliss!! We spent the next 2days lounging by the pool, very relaxing and now RAT has a golden glow - at last!!
Saturday 7th November
Up at 6am an ungodly time to wake up!! Breakfast buffet and checked out before making our way back to the port to board our boat to Ha Long City. This took about 2hours, stopped off for lunch on the way which was free, bonus!! Made the long journey back to Hanoi the Cozy Hotel. Arrived back at 5.30pm, took around 4hours in total.
RAT has now booked our onward journey to Hue and Hoi An and working our way down South, until we reach Ho Chi Minh City (open bus ticket tour). We can hop on and off as often as we like, all for the bargain price of 40usd around 20pounds.
Over and out for now
Love to you all
RAT
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