Ha Long Bay

From Hanoi we went on a 2 day boat cruise to Ha Long Bay - which has recently been nominated as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. Ha Long means "descending dragon bay" and there are 1969 islands in total around the bay. It is absolutely incredible. Emerald waters, amazing islands, beautiful caves...it really is a wonder...

The group on the boat having lunch: 2 girls from Singapore, French Canadians, New Zealanders, Chinese, a Mexican and 2 people from New Jersey (they weren't orange - I was so surprised!)

On the boat on our way to see the cave found by the French and has only been open to the public for the last 30 years. 

The name of the cave. 

Climbing up the mountain to the cave and looking out over the bay. 

Inside the cave, there are fresh water pools that fill from the rain water. The cave roof and walls are coral. 

Pretty amazing, they have lights everywhere so you can see where you are going!

The roof of the cave. 

Walking through, there were 3 chambers. The first was small, the second bigger and the third was the biggest. 

Very dark and damp and creepy inside. 

Different coloured lights lighting up the inside.

View from the top as your come out of the cave. Just like in the postcards!

The boat we stayed on - pretty nice! It was called Dragon Cruises. 

Me walking along the bridge back to the boat. 

Long bridge back to the boat from the cave. 

Me on the boat - sweating to death! Vietnam is so hot, it's so humid, it's almost unbearable!

Me on a kayak going around the bay...it was so peaceful and beautiful. 

Sting rays in ponds at one of the floating villages. 

Fish...

Crabs...

Cuttle fish...

The number one island in Ha Long - Titop Island. 

The first time i've seen the ocean since Thailand! It was such a pleasure!

 Climbing up to the top of the mountain - about 400 steps...crazy! But so worth it!

View from the top of the hill...

Just like all the postcards of Ha Long Bay - absolutely amazing! Breath taking...

WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW....

So beautiful...it's absolutely amazing...

Islands as far as the eye can see...

Picturesque....

The view from our window on the boat...it sucks to be us! 

Evening boats taking the tourists back to the cruise ships. 

Beautiful evening sky from the top of the boat before dinner. 

 Jelly fish...one of the main reasons they wouldn't let us swim around the boat. 

Emerald waters...stunning!

Funny islands popping out everywhere. 

The bar on the boat...

Bamboo boats at the floating village. You pay 120 000 Vietnamese Dong and they take you around on one of these. 

Floating village. These people live on the water. They fish and make a living from the sea. The government supplies water free of charge and the sell fruit and curios to help get by. 

The village

Our boat!

The chef showed us how to make flowers out of vegetables - it was actually pretty cool!

Carrot flower

 Tomato, cucumber and carrot!

Our boat!

The deck right on the very top of the boat. 

Muak muak...

Kai our guide. 

Getting ready to get onto the canoe!

Guess who did most of the rowing???????

Typical Vietnamese boats.

  

On the on our way to Titop island. 

The two of us at the top of Titop Island looking out over one of the seven wonders....

Floating convenient stores. 

Evening view from the boat. 

The village - those are houses...people go from house to house by boat. 

Vietnamese flags are everywhere...

Beautiful...