Since our arrival to Vietnam eleven days ago, we have used Hanoi as a base to explore the North. We have seen magnificent Sapa and the beautiful Halong Bay, both very different from each other and special in their own ways.
Halong Bay, was a place we wanted to see for a long time. We had heard rumors of “bad trips”, but we had also read enough good reviews online to know our dream visit did exist. Friends warned us that “Boats look great until you board them”, or worse, “You only get what you pay for, except the furry friends which come for free!”
We decided we had come this far, so why risk it? We bit the bullet and booked a top end “junk boat.” When you are a tourist, on vacation, you can justify any extra expenditure at any time, because your trip is generally short. When you are traveling, for any real period of time, you have to justify everything.
A few days before arrival, the whole area of Halong Bay was embraced in a typhoon, but lucky charm travel continued for us and the weather for our trip was simply lovely.
For two nights and three days, we sailed by hundreds of gorgeous limestone rock formations jutting up from the waters and dotting the horizon. We were in constant awe of our surroundings as we swam, kayaked thru caves and visited the small fishing villages that clinged to the coves. Their colorful homes, floating on pontoons, were the only sign of life we saw for three whole days.
It is no wonder that this is a Unesco Heritage site. For us, it goes to the top of the "most beautiful and unique places ever visited" list. It was heaven. (See our photos to the right)
Jasmine, our small "junk boat", was decorated in the old Indochine style. With only 22 rooms, you get a lot of space and privacy. From time to time, you're even able to indulge yourself in the fantasy that you're out here on your own. We treated ourselves to a room with a private balcony but we spent little time enjoying it. The other travelers we met aboard (Debby, Jeff, Dennette and Ross) were so fun and interesting, that we spent our time on deck socializing with them, taking in the beauty of the Bay together!
Our trip was all we had hoped for. For a few short days we were more “tourists” than “travelers” and it was worth every dime. Great food, 5 star service and a somewhat better wine list than we've seen so far, rounded out this once in a lifetime trip for us. Once again we move on, asking ourselves if this will be the highlight of our trip? But traveling means moving. Next stop is Hue, the ancient Capitol of Vietnam. The perfume river awaits!
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