Halong Bay-Hanoi, Vietnam: 10May07

This was merely a day for transportation from Halong Bay backed to Hanoi. i would catch a night train to Sapa in the night time. All people in our group who were going to Sapa as well took a package with tour agent. i am the only one who bought my own train ticket and would arrange my own tour.

i sat beside of Sarah in the van and we talked quite a bit then. She was a very cheerful lady at the same age as me. She and Jason are from Wales, England. They already traveled for 3 months and they would travel around Asia and Asia Pacific for one year! Well, UK pound is a very useful currency in terms of to travel. :) She said they saved for 3 years for this one year trip. They were the second person/couple i met who is doing something like this. Save and travel.

For the long train trip at the night, i rewarded myself with a dinner at a nice vegetarian restaurant. It was expensive in Vietnam standard and the food was so sos. But the ambient was good. Half way eating, then i suddenly realised that just now, i paid the ten times price for the one hour internet. Instead of paying 3500 D , i paid 35000 D. No wonder the shop keeper looked kind of blur a bit when i paid him. Anyway, this was just around SGD 4, so not a bit deal. i would be more careful next time.

The most annoying event of the day was, when i was at the train station, someone just grabbed my train ticket and 'forced' me to use his service. Basically he guided me to the platform and my seat in the train. This was something that i didn't need at all and i didn't ask for! He demanded 10000 D, i gave him 8000 D then. A lesson learnt when i go to India later. Always remember my platform and coach number so that i do not need to hold my ticket in hand.



Transfering from small boat to big sailing boat.
There are boatman selling fruits and titbits.



Good bye, Halong Bay.
Sailing back to the main land.



Hanoi Old Quarter at night.



MONEY MATTER:
1.) Food: 91000 D
2.) Transportation: 15000 D
3.) Others: 73000 D

Halong Bay, Vietnam: 8May07

Limestone, cruise, serenity... This is my vacation

The Halong Bay tour was a very relaxing one. The junk sailed across or passed by the limestone islands. There were 13 of us on board and we just chit chatting, read book or simply lied on the void deck to enjoy the scenery and serenity. It was really the feeling of "i am on holiday!" i felt extremely relaxed as i don't have to rush for bus, no hassle or bargain and no checking on map.

There was group of 4 students just finished their University from Singapore. 2 Singaporean guys and 2 Chinese gals. i chit chatted for quite a while with one of the guy and surprisingly he is one of the rare young Singaporean to care about his nation and others. Someone not only looking for himself.

The boat docked near to a lime stone cave and we went in. The cave looks very much the same as what i saw at Mulu National Park, Sarawak, years ago. Basically people introduced name to the stones because of their shapes look like something. may be animals or others. The lights shooting on the stones make a very good ambient though. Constract with the hot weather, the cave was very cooling.

So the boat also docke at some kind of fish farm. i felt very much uncomfortable there. The korean group in the boat started to buy fresh seafood and so as some other people. i hope those animals eaten up by them would have a better rebirth.



The jetty at Halong City. Almost all boats sail from here.



The boat docked at one of the Island for us to visit to some caves. The visit to the caves requires a hike up steps to reach.



One of the chamber in the cave. The cave has been lit up with colorful lights.



The magnificent Halong Bay is one of the natural wonders of Vietnam.



Fish farm (kelong).



A tube worm attached to the net.



The beautiful sunset by Halong Bay.


MONEY MATTER:
1.) Food: 42000 D
2.) Transportation: Small boat to the lagoon - 30000 D