Day 15- Paddling in Ha Long Bay

(pictures on their way)

Rain coats are definitely the order of the day today.  

We all got geared up for a paddle around the islets.  Our captain brought us to a more isolated area, avoiding most of the bigger tourist boats.  Dat was in the lead boat, and we were admonished not to pass him lest we buy him a beer (at a buck and a half a can of beer, I don’t think that would break any of us). The bay started out very calm with little wind or wave action, and clouds but no rain. 

We were able to see one of the major features of the Ha Long Karsts, undercutting of the base of the towers.

We also paddled through several arches.

The wind and waves started to pick up and the paddling became a little bit more exciting.  We stopped for a short break on one of the many deserted beaches.

M&M snack

Bear even got into the kayaking

There are “floating cities” scattered around the bay where families live on rafted boats and fish the waters in the area. 

By the time we returned to the Syrena, the rain started  and by the time we all got out of the kayaks, there was a torrential downpour.  Jeri and I were one of the first out, so we missed the majority of the deluge, but our friends were not quite so lucky. The saving grace was that the temperatures were in the 80’s.

After lunch (which included spring rolls), I had a massage to hopefully improve my aching back.  I think I was more sore after the resident masseuse got through with me.  At one point,  she jerked on my leg so hard, I though I was going to have to call on Rick to relocate my hip!

After my beating, we were back in the kayaks for an afternoon paddle.  We thought we were paddling in a cave, but it turns out we were paddling to a cave, then walking.  The cave wasn’t enormous (at least to the extent that Dat allowed us to venture, but it was pretty neat just the same with both stalactites and stalagmites. 

On the way back, there was a cave to paddle into, but the tide was too low amking it non negotiable.  Dat said he would check in the morning, and if it were possible, we might go then.  As we neared the Syrena, we passed a Vietnamese naval station.  It was pretty unimpressive, an old WW II landing craft and a few floating houses.

Another demonstration before dinner, this time without audience participation.  The chef showed us his technique for vegetable art.  It was amazing what he could do with a sharp knife and imagination.

Tomorrow we are heading back to Hanoi for our flight to Laos.