Day 18: Sat 16 Nov - Haiphong to Halong Bay

25-38 deg C

Ride: 23km

CAUTION: LONG POST WITH LOTS OF PICTURES!

"Breakfast at the hotel, ride to Bieu Nghi town and a short transfer to Halong Bay. Cycle: 30km

12.15 Upon arrival at Ha Long city, Sip on a refreshing welcome drink upon check in before you begin your cruise through the bay.

12.30 Transfer to cruise ship.

12.45 Check in cabin, Start sail from Bai Tu Long Bay area, Feast on a delicious lunch as you cruise among beautiful of islets (Tea pot islet, Mat Quy –Monster Face islet, Yen Ngua islet, Man’s Head islet, Tortoise islet etc.

13.00 Lunch is served in the restaurant at the first deck.

15.30 Take in the charm and tranquility of the lagoon at Luon Cave onboard a traditional rowing boat. 16.15 Back onboard and continue cruising through limestone islets.

16.30 Visit Ti Top Island where you can enjoy swimming, kayaking1 or walking up to the summit and admire a fantastic view onto Halong Bay.

18.00 Onboard the vessel, surrounded by a stunning setting in motion, attend our chef’s cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking.

19.30 Gala Elegant dinner served onboard.

21.00 Evening activities: relax at leisure; enjoy our Movie Night, Board Games or our Massage & Spa services2. Squid fishing and chatting with your partner, friends, family."

After breakfast, we were on the bikes at 7:30am on the back roads through fish and oyster farms. Some of the scenery was very eye-catching; pity the guide was in such a hurry or we could have stopped more (Tom had to get to HCM City to start another tour through the Mekong Delta tomorrow, but that shouldn't have impacted our tour).

We dumped the bikes and boarded the bus for Ha Long Bay and arrived about 11am, way too early to board the boat., in fact it had not long arrived in port from its previous sail. Oh well, we just had to find an ice cream and sit and watch boats and people pass by.

About 12:30pm, we boarded our boat Le Journey Premium Cruise for our cruise on Ha Long Bay, one that Wendy had been looking forward to all trip after seeing the amazing photos on the net, and a couple of travel docos. Although the scenery with the mountain islands was amazing, the water was not the colour we were expecting. The quality of the water in the Bay looks quite putrid really - all manner of household, farming, and general rubbish floats by, and clogs up the mangroves and beaches. It is not surprising given the number of houseboats allowed onto the Bay in any given day, and some of the people on the cruises are just grubs. Wendy saw one man (from a distance) finish his drink and just throw it in the mangroves! Anyway, we have been there and done it now, no need to go back.

Soon after boarding, we had a buffet lunch that was OK, but they were not quick enough in refilling the Baine Maries, we got enough to eat though. After lunch the schedule was reversed; we were herded onto tenders and visited Ti Top Island first due to alleged congestion on the lagoon and Luon Cave.

Ti Top island is located about 14 kilometers to the east of Bai Chay tourist harbor. It has a beach that is shaped like a crescent moon and known for its tranquillity and beautiful still blue waters. The sands of the beach have been dyed white by the ocean’s surf creating a perfect picture of paradise.

The island has a total area of 3,7 hectares (0,037 km²).

The island was named by the most respectful hero of Vietnam, President Ho Chi Minh, after the Russian cosmonaut Gherman Titov on the occasion of his first visit to Halong Bay in 1962.

With a summit height at 110 meters (360 ft), the mountain on Ti Top (Vietnamese pronunciation) island is taking about 450 steps to reach its peak. Ti Top island is regarded as one of the most attractive sites for both international and domestic tourists to Halong Bay. Many cruises which stop at the island for 1-2 hours include Bhaya Cruises, Indochina Sails and Paradise Cruises

Greg wasn't up to climbing up to the top, and Wendy only went half way, but that was enough to get some good photos. Back on the beach, we waited for the others who all went to the top, then some had a swim from the beach (we hope they don't come down with any nasty disease).

Back onto the tender to visit the lagoon and Luon Cave.We had the option to kayak or be rowed in a traditional wooden rowing boat. Greg went with Glen on the kayak and Wendy joined the rest on the wooden boat. It was something different to do, however, we have been to more speccy places.

Luon Cave is a part of Bo Hon Island, which is about 14 kilometers from the mainland of Bai Chay City. Although Luon Cave is not as large as other caves in Halong Bay, it has been formed for millions of years thanks to the impact of sea wind and water. The effects of the tide, along with the water flow, gradually erode the foot of the limestone mountain and leave a big natural tunnel there. This is the Luon Cave that we can see nowadays.Up to now, we still can see the remains of the ocean on the mountain cliffs of Luon Cave. The fossil shells of oysters, snails and crabs are the evidence for the life that existed there millions of years ago. The sea level used to be higher than it is now, and before appearing above the sea surface, Luon Cave was an underwater cave.Luon Cave is like a tunnel that is 100 meters in length, 4 meters in width and 3 meters in height. Compared to other caves in Halong Bay, Luon Cave is not a large one, but it is an exclusive cave that contains mysterious things. This cave is located at the foot of an imposing mountain, and to reach the other side of the island, tourists have to go on a boat passing under the mountain. Therefore, the cave is called “Luon Cave’.Luon Cave is the arch-shaped entrance leading to a tranquil lake, which is about 1 square kilometer. Enclosed by high mountains, this lake is protected from the waves and winds of the ocean, and the water surface is relatively gentle. This lake is like a jade that has been reserved carefully by the mountains of Bo Hon Island.

After the cave, we had to wait until we were the last ones standing before we boarded a tender back to our cruise boat. we had a bit of free time before dinner, so sorted our luggage and room so we would be comfortable overnight. We then went topside to view the sunset and partake in the Happy 3-Hours (buy 2 get 1 free). Dinner was a rather larny five-course affair, and for the first time, not too much food. Although, by the time Wendy got her steak, she was pretty full, but forced it down so as to not appear ungrateful. There was no wifi in the cabins, but they did have aircon and an ensuite each. After a long day, we were in bed not long after dinner finished.