Vietnam: Halong Bay Day 1

We checked out of Charming 2 Hotel and a bus picked us up for our trip to Halong Bay.  Again we experienced the joys of riding a bus on the broken roads and streets of Vietnam.  About three or so hours later, we arrived at the bay and boarded the small transport boat out to the big boat for the night. 

We toured the bay, kayaked around the floating villages and a floating school.  The water was disgusting with trash and sewage floating everywhere.  The little kids didn’t seem to mind and swam in it, even hanging on our kayak for a ride.  Paddling and swatting bugs, we squeezed our kayak through a small opening between two huge rocks protruding from the sea.  Later we found out, this rock is on the 200,000 Dong bill. 

On a small "junk" boat to our big boat, still smiling, getting ready to have to swim at any moment

No more pics babe...still on the small junk boat

View on the railing from our big boat

A small floating fishing village near the rocks

A floating school in this community.  I would be seasick everyday!

Central area of the floating village 

Kayaking through Halong Bay in the dirty water and bugs.  Fun!!

In an inlet that locals use when typhoons hit to protect them from water surges

A typical house in the floating village

A cluster of homes on the floating village as we paddle through

Everything goes in the water and the kids still swim in it

Shelley, no more pics please.  The rocks in the background were fun to paddle around

A silouette of the rocks in Halong Bay

The communist Vietnamese flag flying on the front of our boat

One of over 500 sleeper boats in Halong Bay

Sunset view from the top of our boat...beautiful!

View from the window of our bedroom on the boat

We enjoyed a sunset party on the top of our boat with strange fruits, two buck chuck white wine and me falling down the stairs.  Erik bolted down to see if I was okay…I was although a bit shaken.

Erik and I had a blast hanging on the top deck, meeting new people, and sharing stories of travel.  After when it was time for the optional swim, I honestly questioned getting in the water after what I saw floating earlier.  Should I get in or not?  Erik didn’t hesitate one moment and jumped off the third floor rooftop deck.  With some encouragement from Erik, I jumped off as well screaming the entire way down.  Mr. Fun (aka Erik) lead the way and a few others in our group followed suit.  We stayed up late drinking and chatting under the stars.