When i suggested to Nico to go to Hanoi & Halong Bay for New Year 2013, he's a bit skeptical. Its not because he didn't want to go but because he have been to Vietnam. My bf is i-already-been-to-that-country
type of person while me is im-goin-to-see-that-100-must-see-places-before-you-die type of person. I had a challenging time trying to convinced him but thank god that i found super cheap ticket at Airasia and cheap voucher for our stay in Halong Bay from Groupon. So, Nico said yes and we off to Hanoi.
Besides Vietnam war and everything i saw on tv, i pretty much didn't know anything about the country. Didn't know that it can be that cold in winter and didn't know that Vietnam already developed so much, pardon my arrogance. This is in fact my first visit to Vietnam and it always my dream to see Halong Bay. I come across to know Halong Bay when i try to find out if Vietnam up to my standard expectation for vacation since i have to be near water in order for it to be perfect. I spent lot of time checking you tube, website after website and tell myself that no matter what, i will see Halong Bay one day and my dream came true.
When we arrived at Halong Bay jetty, the place was crowded with tourist and there was boats everywhere. The painful 4 hours trip end in excitement to board the Chinese junk. This is my first time staying overnight on a junk boat and i was really looking forward for it. From the jetty itself you already can see the famous Halong Bay limestone as far as your eyes can see. Imagine those limestone you saw from your trip to Phuket, Halong Bay have so much more than that, so much more. We board a small boat which took us to the Chinese junk which parked in the deeper water. I was disappointed to see all the chinese junk painted in white and not as per advertised on their website but then we find out that it is government requirement and nothing much they can do about it.
We've been seated in the restaurant with welcome drink in hand while our guide give us a key to our room for us to settle down and rest. I wish he can do it a bit fast since i really cant wait to check the room and sundeck. Once we get our key, we immediately go in and i was impressed. Its a small room but big enough for 2 person with attached bathroom. Its very clean, nicely decorated, stunning view from the window and very much make you feel like you are on your honeymoon trip.
Once we settle down and our 2 days 1 night cruise officially started, our boat took us to the centre of Halong Bay. I grab my scarf and run to upper deck to see the view while our boat sail among st the natural rock formation of UNESCO world heritage seascape of Halong Bay and it was stunning. It was slightly fogging but enough to give magical touch to everything. I've been surrounded by dozen and dozen of limestone's and don't even realize that im freezing until my love one come up and hug me.
We are first head out to Sung Sot Cave as our first activity in Halong. We are not really sure what we will see here and our tourist guide keep on saying that this cave also called surprising cave. Believe it or not. the stairs going up to this cave was flooded with tourist. Everybody patiently taking their steps and try to walk in a group so we wont lose each other. When we reach the entrance, we understood that everybody taking a picture which actually slowing down the process. Once inside, we indeed surprised. The cave was huge. This cave is one of the largest and most beautiful cave in Halong Bay with 3 main chamber covering an area over 10,000 sq.m.
(view from sung sot cave)
Next is to do kayaking and swimming which is impossible since its winter. But since we already there we decided to at least do kayaking. It was freezing cold but we had fun kayaking to the floating village and see the house boat. It is also a nice experience to kayak in between rock formation but a bit scary when all big and small boats passing you. If you know how Vietnam traffic work, they also do the same at Halong. All the boats just honking to each other.
After getting back to our chinese junk, wet and cold, we having a tea break on the sun deck for sunset. Tea and coffee taste so good at this time since its so cold. Our boat moved slightly outside from center of Halong and finally anchored for the night. We had our dinner, they prepare karaoke for our entertainment and we also can do squid fishing. I tried squid fishing but unfortunately didn't catch any and also almost freeze from cold while the rest just stay inside and having their warm drink and singing.
(all boat anchored here)
The next day we woke up early for breakfast and heading to Ba Hang cave. Again, no swimming..so all we can do is checking the area and monkey feeding. the place is really beautiful especially when you go thru the cave to get to the other side.
Ba Hang cave is the last activity in our itinerary. We go back to our boat and feel sad that we finally have to leave Halong Bay. We captured a lot of picture from that trip but you have to see it with your own eyes to believe it. We definitely will come back to Halong Bay again but next time will go during summer and will take Nico and my parents to join us.
(isn't that beautiful?)
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