Cruising Halong Bay

By 8 am we have all checked out of the Silk Path Boutique Hotel and we begin the two and one-half hour drive to Halong Bay. Kim, our tour guide, explains that Ha Long means descending dragon. As we approach the bay we see the interesting limestone rock formations with rainforest vegetation within the bay. We’re checked-in by 11 am at the dock-side waiting area for our boat - the Alisa.

Once onboard we’re greater with a generous buffet lunch, then allowed to gain access to our cabins. They are surprisingly large and have small balconies with 2 chairs and a small table.

​We quickly prepare to be tendered to Bo Han Island which contains Sung Sot Cave (also known as Surprise Cave). There’s a steep climb of 50 steps before we enter the first chamber, which is 100 feet high inside. We follow the path, enjoying the cave then make our way to the second, much larger and taller chamber. It’s said the chamber could hold 1,000 people.

​We return to the Alisa, the boat then navigates to another area of the bay, and we are given the option of going kayaking. William and I decide to rest up, but the others from our group give it a try. While they are kayaking we sit on deck watching them in the distance while William enjoys a cigar.

​Upon the return of the kayakers we enjoy the scenery as the Alica moves through the bay. We laugh and joke during happy hour as the captain positions the boat into a bay and drops anchor for the night. It appears to be the parking lot for several other boats, similar to pulling into an RV campground for the night. A buffet dinner is served and by 10 pm most people are quiet in their cabins.

Wednesday morning comes early for us, as our cabin is next to the kitchen and the staff starts their preparations at 4:30 am. Tai-chi is offered up on deck at 6:15 am, but neither of us are motivated to join. However our friend Jim does join, and he enjoys the experience. It starts him thinking about taking some classes when he returns home.

We have breakfast then are tendered to Titop Island, which was named for the Russian cosmonaut Gherman Titov on the occasion of his first visit to Halong Bay in 1962. There’s a statue of him on the island, and it acts as a reminder to us of how important the Russian’s were to North Vietnam during the war. The island has 450 steps to it’s summit which provides 360 degree views of the bay. The steps are often uneven and after about 300 I find a viewing area that I think is high enough for me.

​After Titop Island the Alica makes her way back to the dock while we are served brunch at 9:15 am and then settle our accounts. Their “buy 2 get 1 free” happy hour was apparently very enticing last evening. By 11 am the boat has docked and we are ashore. The cruise is a good experience, a bit of a whirlwind, but the one night option was enough (they also offer a two night cruise).

​Kim and our driver are waiting for us at the dock. We load the luggage into the van and off we go again. It’s only a short distance to a pearl farm on the bay. William and I have been to at least 5 pearl farms, but this is the first one that demonstrates the process they go through to surgically insert the starter into the oyster and (hopefully) initiate growth of a pearl. Needless to say, they have plenty of pearl jewelry available for purchase. It appears to be good quality and reasonably priced. A few purchases are made and then we are back in the van.
 
Three hours later Kim has helped us to check-in at Hanoi airport for our flight to Hue and the six of us are sitting in the airport lounge. On to the next city!