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It was a 5 hour journey to Kat Ba from Hanoi which seemed like nothing after the 26 hour ordeal. Air-con on the coach, feeling the sea breeze and time to update my diary and blog were much appreciated! Kat Ba town is charming. We got a room for 3 of us for $8 on 5th floor with stunning views of the bay and ate, on our first night, at a seafood restaurant recommended in lonely planet. It was not wrong.
The next day we got up early and walked 15 minutes to Kat co 2 beach where we stayed in an idyllic resort called flamingo Kat co resort. The beach was absolutely perfect. We had it to ourselves most of the time- you wouldn't know it was a private resort costing hundreds. Infact, anywhere else and it probably would have but we paid £6 each for our beach hut with 2 double beds. Amazing!
After spending the day soaking up the sun (and finally finishing my Salman Rushdie book, Luka and the Fire of Life- which I'd highly recommend for a fantastical read) we headed back to Kat ba town for dinner at a cafe which wasn't the lonely planet recommended 'bamboo cafe' but is very close to it and appears to be it from certain angles. In any case it was great food again and value for money or what! Noodle soup- 60p.
We finally booked our accommodation for 20th dec to 3rd jan on koh phi phi, koh Tao, koh Samui and koh phagnan... Got all the bases covered safely. It's going to cost about £160 for those 2 weeks as its high season and full moon extravaganza!! Yay.
On the walk back past Kat Co 1 there was a bonfire and people dancing round it. We went down and paddled for a bit before chilling on sun loungers for a bit on our resort- heavenly.
Got up and actually went for 15 minute run on the beach followed by exercises!!! What has happened.
When asking for breakfast afterwards the lovely lady told us 'no food today' with a smile and a laugh. Brilliant. Checked in to sunset hotel back in Kat Ba town where the got bikes for us to rent to go and visit the hospital cave and national park un the afternoon! I took Kim on the back of my scooter as she'd never risen before. It's a definite 'must do' for a couple of quid. The mountains were really something in the national park.
We missed the hospital cave when first riding past it but kept going anyway once we realised because it was do gorgeous. When we headed back a very chirpy man gave us a guided tour for £1- he was so cute and have us photo opportunities with replica hats and good views etc. I'd definitely recommend it although it alone it's a day out- it took 20 minutes max. We saw hoh chi minhs sleeping quarters, the cave's cinema and swimming pool along with the living quarters. The whole thing was very similar to German bunkers in guernsey and the underground tunnels built by the allies in France, except this was much more impressive and better constructed.
We filled up petrol and got back without crashing then went to the same restaurant for dinner. Both nights we went for desert at the Family Bakery and drinks at 'good bar' which is good to be fair... But I can't see why it has such great reviews in all honesty.
We spoke to our 23 year old hotel owner when we got back and told us all about his plans to study in Sydney but was worried that he wouldn't have enough money to get by... doesn't everyone think that? He studied in Hanoi for 4 years... poor, poor boy. And joy of joys, he tells us that Halong Bay city is much like Hanoi BUT BUSIER. Oh god.
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