Halong Bay 2 night tour

Ok I've been to Halong Bay. Mission accomplished.

It was not though with picture perfect weather.

After a 3 hour drive traveling only 100 or so kms away. Yes its a slow drive when you're in Asia. Longest involuntary game of chicken with oncoming trucks and mopeds you can play.

The bay is actualyl spectacular. The first afternoon was taken up by traveling to the main cave sightseeing point. Quite surprising.
The 2nd day we had our first ever prisoner exchange. Whereby myself, 2 Swiss, 3 Canadians, and 4 French were exchanged for a a mix of other nations on another boat. Some would say it was because we were on the 3 day tour and not the 2 day tour. But it was as if they were experienced in the process of exchanging us.

After the exchange we headed out to our 2nd day of touring. This entailed a bicycle ride on one part of Cat Ba Island before trekking up a hill into a cave and back.


After which we visited monkey Island. And well lets just say Monkey King is not nice monkey. Our experience was that of our guide feeding the monkeys, and then the Monkey King starting to turn on the tourist when he spotted bigger bags. At which point a valid point was made. Avoid the monkeys biting you unless you want rabies shots. After the monkey feeding was done we were left on the beach, a dozen or so scared tourist on monkey patrol while sun baking, waiting for the monkeys to pounce looking for bags to rummage. Frankly this description of bag thieves would suggest they were actually just former Bus Depot employees. But I have photos of monkeys.

Finally we made out way to the night's destination of Cat Ba Island. Or well the tourist strip. It's a high rise strip of hotels with floating fishing boats in front. So there's a stench of rotting fish to enjoy.

Personally I think I've now just slept on the base of an ensemble bed missing the top matress. Good for the posture they say.